Wales could do with a player like Shane Williams against England on Saturday, so depleted is their pool of available backs, but the former international winger is backing his compatriots to beat the hosts.

Williams scored 58 tries for Wales in Test matches in 87 games, two fewer appearances than all three wingers in the Welsh squad for the World Cup put together.

George North will likely line up on one of the wings with an out-of-form Alex Cuthbert battling with an inexperienced Hallom Amos for the second starting berth, but Williams expects the biggest battle ground to be in midfield.

With Jamie Roberts set to line up against Sam Burgess at inside-centre, Williams is predicting ‘World War Three’ on the pitch, and believes Wales will thrive as the underdogs.

“I think all the pressure’s on England – they have to perform,” Williams told the BBC.

“It wasn’t their best performance against Fiji and I think Lancaster is under a bit more pressure than Warren Gatland.

“So for that reason, I do think Wales can sneak it.”

England have injury problems of their own, with Jonathan Joseph ruled out with a rumoured haematoma on his chest, meaning Brad Barritt will reportedly move to No 13 with Burgess inside him.