A WEEK after hosting the inaugural St George’s Day game at Twickenham, Wasps are on another mission to represent their country with pride.

They are the only English team left in Europe and Phil Vickery, a former captain of the Red Roses, is acutely aware of it.

He said: “This is a game where uncapped players will be in a distinct minority. It is like playing Wales wearing blue jerseys instead of red.

“I’ve fought alongside some of these guys for the Lions and fought against them playing for England.

“I’m a very proud Englishman, and I make no bones about it. Saturday we’re flying the flag.”

If it is England versus Wales, Vickery is expected to be in the boiler room against a player Shaun Edwards regards as the best in the world in his position.

The Wasps and Wales coach said: “Cardiff have some of the best players in the world and probably one [Gethin Jenkins] who is the best player in the world in his position.

“He’s got a fantastic engine, all-round ability, the mobility of a back-row forward and rugby intelligence.

“Gethin reads the game incredibly well. So much so that when I go into the dressing room at the half-time of Wales matches, he’s the first person I seek out.

“I talk to him to see if there’s anything we need to concentrate on in the second half because he has the ability to read a game, even when he’s running around at 100 mph.”

Vickery has only had 70 minutes of rugby since returning from neck surgery. Going head to head with Jenkins is a scary thought.

He said: “Gethin has proved himself time and time again, and continues to do so.

“But you test yourself against the best, under huge pressure against the big teams.

“It was a massive game for us last weekend. We came out the wrong side of it but we’ve got to move on from it quickly because, with respect to Bath, we’re playing a team which is probably a better side.”