NOT many people from this neck of the woods have played at the Millennium Stadium, but Will Greenwood has.

The former Stonyhurst pupil played a starring role in England's win over Wales in the Six Nations championship last year.

The 27-year-old scored a hat-trick of tries at the stadium as the English trounced the Welsh on their way to Six Nations glory.

And Greenwood, who grew up in Hurst Green and went to Stonyhurst College, says the Rovers players will have a great day out there.

"When you are playing for England it doesn't really matter where you are playing," said Greenwood.

"I know that sounds daft but it really doesn't matter.

"But it is a nice stadium, very impressive and it was very loud early on.

"We managed to score about 15 points reasonably early and that silenced the crowd.

"But the atmosphere in the pre-match build up was great."

Not surprisingly, the Millennium Stadium, built in 1999, is a state-of-the-art ground.

"Everything, from the pitch to the suit carrying pegs, is very much 21st century," said Greenwood.

"It has a sliding roof and new style turf.

"I don't know much about turf but apparantly it is designed so that it stays a better playing surface for longer.

"The changing rooms and other facilities are very impressive. The changing rooms are very spacious and all the trimmings are there.

"I'm sure the Blackburn lads will enjoy their day."

Greenwood never played at Wembley - England played a match there in the late 1990s but he was injured for the game and didn't play - so can't compare the two sites.

But he says it is a much more neutral venue than Wembley.

"For the Tottenham fans, Wembley is only about three minutes away. I am sure the fans and players would rather be playing there.

"It will be better for Rovers to play in Cardiff because it is a more neutral venue."

Despite having played at the Millennium Stadium, Greenwood says the city itself is still a mystery to him.

"When you play there you really don't get much a chance to have a look around Cardiff.

"You come in, stay in a hotel, you don't go out, you play the game and then you leave.

"But I have mates who went to university in Cardiff and they say it's a great city.

"Most of the player's perceptions of Cardiff come from other people and it seems like a nice place for a quiet beer!"

Despite coming from Blackburn, Greenwood professes to be a Manchester City fan, but wants Rovers to come away with the win.

"When it is a London team against a northern team you always want the northern team to win so I hope Rovers do it.

"I don't know if I'll be able to watch it. I'll be at home on Sunday so it's up to the missus whether I get to watch it or not!"