"You know you are hated when you walk out at the Millennium stadium in an England shirt" - Phil Vickery

Stars: Phil Vickery and Teddington’s Fergus Farrell		           Picture: Stuart Amos Stars: Phil Vickery and Teddington’s Fergus Farrell Picture: Stuart Amos

Former England captain Phil Vickery has warned any team will find it tough to win in Wales today, let alone Quins captain Chris Robshaw’s Grand Slam chasers.

But the World Cup winner reckons Sunday’s hard-fought 18-11 win over Italy might just have been the ideal preparation.

“Being realistic it will be tough for any team to go and win in Wales this weekend, be it the All Blacks or Australia,” he said.

“But for this England team to evolve they need occasions like that.

“England will have wanted a tough game against Italy. Not arm wrestle tough, but a good physical game.  They are then physically and mentally ready.

“It is all about momentum now. They have to take all the bits and pieces from the previous four games and put them all together for 80 minutes.

“Playing at the Millennium stadium is magical. It makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.

“If you ever doubted you were hated, you soon know when you get there and that is what they will have to deal with.”

Vickery, who owns rugby and leisure clothing firm Raging Bull, was speaking at House of Fraser in Richmond on Sunday, where he signed items for autograph hunters.

Teddington captain and number eight Fergus Farrell could not mark his 150th first team appearance in style as his side crashed 33-3 at London Division Two South West leaders Chobham.

Head coach Ben Pagna, who replaced Giselle Mather last summer, will see his men welcome promotion chasing Sutton & Epsom to Bushy Park next weekend.

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