Thomas is the only member of the Wales starting line-up who has savoured a Test-match victory over England - at Wembley in 1999 - and he admits that excitement is high ahead of the RBS 6 Nations clash.

''When we came into the autumn internationals, it was Mike Ruddock's first campaign in charge, we had to bring a lot of new things in and it took a little bit longer to get everything flowing,'' said Toulouse full-back.

''Coming into this campaign, it's not so long since the autumn Tests, and the boys have just gone straight into it.

''We haven't had that teething period we had in the autumn, so if anything, we've had to work to hold the boys back.

''Because of the excitement and build-up to the England game, it's an easy thing for the boys to get carried away with it.

''So, as far as we are concerned, we just want to get in our own little bubble, in our own little world as a team, and prepare for it.''