Martyn Williams insists Leicester Tigers' experience of winning the Heineken Cup makes them favourites for Sunday's crunch Anglo-Welsh battle in Cardiff...
Williams has firmly pinned the 'favourites' tag on the Tigers based on the fact they won the European Cup in 2001 and 2002, despite the fact Leicester were humbled by defending-champions Munster at Welford Road last Sunday.
The British Lions' flanker grabbed his side's crucial try in the Blues' first-ever Heineken Cup win on French soil last Saturday, but says it will count for nothing if Cardiff lose Sunday's crunch clash at the Millennium Stadium.
Williams said: "They have to start as favourites despite our win at Bourgoin.
"Just look at the quality they have in their side, plus the experience of winning the competition, which none of us at Cardiff have got.
"It won't phase them at all coming down here, they beat Munster at the Millennium Stadium to win the cup in 2002, so they know what it takes to win here.
"If you look at the spine, they have quality players hooker George Chuter, lock Ben Kay and Martin Corry at No 8, they have got a really formidable pack and this is going to be a step up for us."
With a crowd in excess of 20,000 expected, the Wales' flanker is relishing taking on the Tigers' backrow stars Lewis Moody and England captain Martin Corry in what will be a mouth-watering backrow clash.
"As far as I am concerned it really is going to an international game," said Williams.
"The fact that it is England against Wales will just add to the spice, we had 15,000 here for last season's game against Leinster, hopefully we will double that.
"For some of the Cardiff youngsters who haven't played at the Millennium Stadium yet, it's going to be a great experience for them."
With Welsh guile set to be tested against England's forward-dominated power game, Williams says Cardiff have learned to lay the ground work up front to allow their fliers behind the pack to shine.
He said: "It will be a battle of styles, but you can't underestimate their backs, guys like Tom Varndell and Daryl Gibson have loads of cutting edge.
"The way Welsh and English sides try and play the game is a bit different, but the big thing is backing it up this weekend, last Saturday counts for nothing if we lose on Sunday."
