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Rugby-In-form England can make Wales pay for past slights, says JonesBy Reuters

(Reuters) - England head coach Eddie Jones is determined to prove to Wales counterpart Warren Gatland that his team can triumph in hostile territory when they head to Cardiff's Principality Stadium in the Six Nations on Feb. 23.

Wales finished second in last year's championship, three places above England, with Gatland twisting the knife by declaring the two sides were "poles apart", after Jones' side continued to slump after the tournament.

"I remember the comments," Jones told reporters. "We weren't doing so well and (he said) the gap between us was massive, so let's see how big the gap is next Saturday."

Both teams have won their first two games, with England beating defending champions Ireland in Dublin before thrashing France at Twickenham on Sunday.

Jones' men top the standings ahead of Wales, who beat France and Italy, courtesy of two bonus points and with both teams chasing a Grand Slam, the match in Cardiff is being billed as a potential title decider.

"You go there and it is a tough game, they are a good side, (there is a) loud crowd but it has never been a fortress to me," added Jones, who has never lost to Wales since he was appointed England coach in 2015.

(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Sudipto Ganguly)