And Henry, who was in charge of Wales for their record-equalling run of 10 successive victories in 1999, has urged current Welsh coach Mike Ruddock to continue giving his young side a licence to thrill.

''The Welsh are not a bad team,'' Henry told the Western Mail.

''They play an exciting brand of rugby and may it continue for ages.

''They have got England first. England are still team-building, and they haven't got Martin Johnson any more.

But despite England's desperate injury situation, Henry refused to write-off their prospects of winning yet another Cardiff clash.

''I wouldn't discount England; they have got some great footballers,'' Henry said.

''There is also their sheer weight of playing numbers and quality people across the board in their club sides. They have the personnel to overcome losses.''

Henry believes the key to next Saturday's Millennium Stadium clash is how England react to their many injury problems.

''It's just whether 'Robbo' and company can pull it together straight away,'' said Henry.