SKIPPER Scott Quinnell (pictured) is dreaming of celebrating his 50th international for Wales with a famous victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday.

But he accepts it may all remain a dream as Wales start as record 10-1 underdogs, despite England losing the services of captain Martin Johnson and the brilliant Jason Robinson.

Quinnell is one of just three Welsh players (Gareth Thomas and Rob Howley the others) who has played in the last four England clashes.

They were the 60-26 defeat in 1998, the shock 32-31 win at Wembley in 1999, and the further setbacks by 46-12 in 2000 and 44-15 last year. He remembers them well. "That 1998 defeat in particular was a shocking experience," he said, "but you get over it. You go home to your family and things take care of themselves.

"As long you learn something from such games it's not too bad, but nobody likes to go out there and get tonked."

As for the chance of a repeat of the Scott Gibbs-inspired win the following year, he said: "You never know. If I didn't hope and dream of them I wouldn't be going there on Saturday. It's what dreams are made of.

"But we're realistic. England are one of the better sides in the world, if not the best, and it's going to be very difficult.

"As we have said over our last couple of internationals, we have to concentrate on our own performance and try to improve. If we do that, hopefully we can give them a game." Asked what he thought of suggestions Wales might take another drubbing, he said "You don't think about it. Everybody has his own opinion. As players we want to go out there and play to the best of our ability.

"If we do that we can't have any excuses. If we're beaten by a better side, then fair enough.

"It's disappointing there has been such talk, but there will be 22 Welsh guys on the park giving110% and as a captain that's all you can ask for."

Despite the problems of the past week, with the players' strike threat etc., he said: "The boys have been tremendous. We're together.

"They have trained well and are looking forward to the challenge ahead and to expressing themselves, and that's half the battle."

Quinnell dismissed suggestions a weakened England team and their setback against France might help Wales.

"England don't slip up too often at home, so you can dismiss that one," he said. "I don't think the defeat by France is a factor because England are a professional group of people and take every game on its merits.

"They've filled most of the spots vacated through injury with Lions, so it's just as difficult. "Martin Johnson's a great character and a great player, but then they replace him with Danny Grewcock.

"Jason Robinson's been in fantastic form and is one of the players of the season, but then you bring Dan Luger into the side who is a tremendous natural footballer. "It's incredible the strength in depth England have and they can probably put 25 players on the park who are equally as good as each other."

As for celebrating his 50th cap, he said: "It's something that when I finish playing I will look back on and say it's a great achievement.

"But we have a job of work to do this weekend. Maybe I'll sit down and have a beer on Saturday night.

"If you're not going to win your 50th cap at home you'd like it to be at Twickenham and it would be tremendous to celebrate with a win."