FLANKER Martyn Williams has allayed fears that the Ospreys dominance in the Wales squad will lead to splits in the camp and has basked in the buoyant mood.

Williams and winger Mark Jones will be the only two players starting at Twickenham that don't ply their trade at the Liberty Stadium.

But the 32-year-old insists that the players see beyond regional colours when they head to their Vale of Glamorgan base, and have been for a number of years.

He said: "A lot will be made because 13 of the boys are Ospreys but it's not a major issue for us - when you come away with the national squad you are all part of the Wales team. We've all played together before so it's not a problem.

"It's not at all divisive, as a squad we have been together for six years now and everyone gets on great so there is no fear of that.

"There is a great deal of confidence because of how well the Blues and Ospreys have done in Europe and we've had a good two weeks together.

"Twickenham is a tough place to go and they have got a great record there. But last time there it was nip and tuck until I got sin-binned and they pulled away towards the end (winning 47-13)."

Williams will be at the forefront of the Welsh defensive effort on Saturday afternoon and has praised the work of new guru Shaun Edwards.

The squad have been put through their paces over the past week or so but the Blues flanker believes their graft may not become apparent until later in the tournament.

"It's been a breath of fresh air," he said. "It has been challenging with a lot of new things to soak up, the players haven't changed but there are a lot of ideas.

"Training sessions have been unbelievable, they haven't been that long but they have been intense. There's not much time for talking, it's all work.

"We are going to stick to what we know with defence because it is hard to turn that round in ten days. We have put some blocks in place so that we can start to bring them in as the tournament progresses and we have been together longer.

"It will be interesting to see how we cope against England with the few things we have brought in."