The Albany Gazette - Itoje urges England to 'take game to Wales' in Six Nations finale

The visitors will be greeted by a raucous home crowd at the Principality Stadium, a ground that Saracens lock Itoje insists is a venue "you want to play in".

A bonus-point win for England in the concluding 'Super Saturday' would guarantee a top-two finish but they could yet secure a first Six Nations title in five years should leaders France stumble against Scotland in Paris in the final game of the tournament.

"Whenever you play Wales, but particularly in Cardiff, you need to be aggressive," Itoje said. "You want to start the game well and really take the game to Wales.

"You have to make sure you maintain a level of composure because it is a great atmosphere, a cool stadium and the match is always big. You need to make sure you have the ability to make good decisions under that scrutiny."

The 30-year-old second row added: "It is being aggressive in the manner in which we play, but also the mindset and mentality. We are not coming here just to play pretty phases, you have to come here and play with intent.

"The atmosphere is obviously great, it is a stadium you want to play in and I don't see it as intimidating at all. I don't see it as something to beware of or anything like that."

- 'Proud Welsh nation' -

England are up against a Wales side on a national record losing streak of 16 successive Tests, with the hosts having gone two years without a win in the Six Nations.

"Fortunately, I have been in the England team for a little while now, and I've been to Cardiff," said Itoje, capped 92 times by his country.

"I have played very badly in Cardiff. I have played well in Cardiff, so I draw on all of those experiences.

"The Welsh nation is a proud nation and they love their rugby, and despite their results I think they are showing a lot of promise and a lot of improvement. They are going to be absolutely up for this game, particularly against us. We need to make sure we manage that."

Saturday's games offer leading players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales a chance to enhance their claims for a place in the British and Irish Lions squad for a three-Test series away to Australia in July and August.

Itoje, a candidate to skipper the combined side, said: "No doubt, the better England does in the Six Nations the more likely more players from England are going to be selected.

"So we all have a vested interest in making sure England are successful and we win as many games as possible, because when you are part of a winning team you look better. We haven't shied away from the fact that it is a Lions year."

(F.Allen--TAG)