Jenkins has faced criticism after naming the likes of Will James, who makes his debut at lock today, plus the 3rd choice half back pairing of Cooper and Sweeney.

Fans have voiced concerns that his side will gain nothing from the match, and will be dominated at a hostile Twickenham, eager to see their side back on track after a few poor years.

But is it really such a bad decision?

By fielding a weakened side, he’s putting the pressure back on the home team. England will be strong favourites, and find themselves in a lose-lose situation. Either they win, and nobody takes much notice as it wasn’t Wales’ best team, or worst case scenario, they fail to beat Wales’ B team!

Plus there’s the benefit of seeing players for the final time. There are so many battles going on throughout this tie, it makes for very interesting viewing. For example, debutant James will be looking not only to better the English lock duo of Shaw and Borthwick, but will be trying to get one over his World Cup spot rivals, Rob Sidoli and Michael Owen.

There’s actually very little to be lost for Jenkins. His top name stars such as Ian Evans, Peel, Hook and Martyn Williams are all kept out of harms way, he gets to try out other squad players, as well as positional combinations, Gareth Thomas and Shanklin for example, and he has the fall back of saying it was a sub-standard side if they lose.

However, Jenkins is missing an opportunity to gain a real scalp here, and may be handing a psychological edge to the English should they get the win as expected. Twickers hasn’t been the safe house it once was in the last few seasons, and if ever there was a time to go there and pick up a win, now would be it.

Also, with the World Cup just around the corner, is it too late to be fielding anything other than the best options you have? Players need games to be 100% match fit in time for France 2007,  and maybe he should be giving his big names a chance to run out and get up to the required fitness levels.

 Either way, by 6.00pm tonight, Jenkins’ will know his final 30-man squad, irrelevant of the full time score.

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