England are expected to dominate the close-quarter forward combat, utilising the power afforded them by players like White, hooker Steve Thompson and lock Danny Grewcock.

Ruddock though, wants the match referee - New Zealander Steve Walsh - to ensure that White scrummages correctly in the heat of battle.

''We have been looking at a lot of tapes of him (White), both playing for Leicester and England,'' said Ruddock.

''So, obviously, we have got a huge knowledge of what he does. He is a very effective scrummager and a very good player.

''We have got huge respect for him, and his standing in the game. His reputation goes before him.

''All we ask, really, is that the referee makes sure he scrummages straight on, and doesn't get across on the hooker.

''That is something we will be looking at, and talking to our players about, to make sure that if things go that way, they make it known to the referee that he's not straight.

''The scrum is there, the laws are quite simple. Everyone should be bound at the scrum and pushing in a straight position.''

Ruddock admits that a fearsome England pack, even without retired international stars like Martin Johnson and Lawrence Dallaglio, will present a formidable obstacle for his team to try to overcome.

Wales, there is no doubt, possess a back division capable of conjuring up tries against any opponent from any position, but the big debate is whether they can compete at the forward coalface.

''We feel that our backs are capable of doing damage against anyone,'' Ruddock added.

''It's whether we can front up and get the ball.

''When England turn on the power, they are very effective. We've got to try and stop them turning on the power and have a good enough platform and set-piece to stop them dominating the game.

''There is no easy way to handle their power, other than to front up and be as powerful as they are.