RICHARD Greenwood, father of England centre Will and a former England captain himself, is looking forward to the start of the Six Nations with 'unbridled fear'.

England, with a couple of former Stonyhurst pupils in their side, are firm favourites to win the competition.

But Greenwood reckons Saturday's opener against Wales could prove a banana skin.

"The worst thing that could have happened was Gloucester beating Cardiff and Leicester marmalising Swansea in the European Cup last weekend," said the charismatic Greenwood, suggesting he fears the Welsh may feel they have something to prove.

"I am looking forward to it with unbridled terror."

The Blackburn pair of Iain Balshaw and Will Greenwood will be expecting to get a result against Wales but they have a chance

"With England's detailed preparation it will take a monumental effort to beat them," he said. "But I think Wales are capable of that effort.

"It is a bold selection from Clive Woodward but it sets the scene for positive and adventurous rugby.

"But there will be the additional anxiety of Will not playing in his usual position. He will be playing outside centre when his usual role is inside centre but I think he and Mike Catt will play a bit of both."

England are favourites, like they are most years, but this time they are stronger and with arguably the best coaching staff ever.

"They are getting better every time," said Greenwood, who played long before the switch to professionalism.

"Clive Woodward has become one of the great team managers. He has built up an impressive management team.

"Andy Robinson has been an outstanding acquisition, Brian Ashton is a genius in attack and Phil Larder has transformed them defensively. Dave Aldred looks after the kickers and they have also got getting-up-in-the-morning and going-to-bed-at-night coaches."

Woodward's innovative coaching system is being copied all over the world but Greenwood reckons the England side still have something to prove.

"They have to prove they can put in the performances consistently," he said. "They need to do it every game, no hiccups.

"The hardest game is always your next game but if they can overcome the Welsh in reasonable style they will have got one of their potential hiccups out of the way. The next one is in Dublin and the final major hurdle is France, the last game.

"Saturday will be the first time England will have played in the Millennium Stadium, which has major atmosphere. It is an amphitheatre, the crowd are virtually on top of you.

"If they survive that they will be ready for anything."