FROM the ice chamber of Poland to the cauldron of Twickenham in the space of a fortnight - that is the fate for the Welsh team who will face England on Saturday.

Last week the full World Cup training squad were enduring brief three-minute spells in temperatures which plunged to minus 140 in a special ice chamber in their Polish training camp.

Wales coach Warren Gatland will tomorrow name the side to take on the old enemy in around 80 degrees in front of a packed 82,500 crowd. Ospreys prop Craig Mitchell, who was linked with a move to Newport Gwent Dragons a few months ago but has joined Exeter instead, admitted it wasn't the one reported Welsh player who was screaming to be let out of the ice chamber - it was nearly all of them.

"The reality is most of us were screaming, you just had to get through the three minutes," he said. "Boys were moving around, singing songs and pretty much doing anything to take their minds off the cold.

"It was really tough, but the whole exercise was worth it. We were cramming in five sessions a day and doing exactly the same the next day.

"The crypotherapy over there is amazing. Do five sessions here and you'll be aching all over, there you just get up and feel ready to go all over again.The last time we got up at about half past four in the morning with two crypotherapy sessions over the day. It was really beneficial for the boys especially the ones who were carrying bumps."

Mitchell, just back from four months out with a shoulder injury, says a lot is at stake against England.

"The boys want to prove they should be on the plane to New Zealand. That will be a massive incentive, but we also know we have to play as a team and perform," he said. "It was frustrating to pick up an injury but they happen," adding about his possible move to the Dragons who, ironically, are in the same Amlin Challenge group as Exeter, "there was an option there, but it took too long to sort out and came to nothing, but facing them I'll be back in Wales before I know it.

"But it won't be about making up the numbers now, I want to compete for the No 3 spot."