Rugby - Six Nations:Neil Jenkins has warned Wales will need to be at their very best - with or without Lee Byrne - in the quest for victory over England on Saturday. Byrne has appealed a two-week ban imposed after he admitted a misconduct charge following his brief appearance as an illegal 16th player during the Ospreys' Heineken Cup victory over Leicester 10 days ago.
The appeal hearing will take place in Glasgow today, with Wales boss Warren Gatland now likely to announce his starting line-up for Twickenham on tomorrow.
Byrne missed Wales' entire autumn Test series this season through injury, and his November deputy - Ospreys colleague James Hook - is expected to continue in the number 15 shirt should the appeal be dismissed.
If Byrne becomes available though, then Hook could find himself handed a midfield role alongside Jamie Roberts for the Six Nations showdown.
Either way, Wales' degree of difficulty is considerable, given they have beaten England just once since 1988 at Twickenham.
"I only won at Twickenham for the Barbarians as a player," said Jenkins, the current Wales kicking coach and his country's record international points-scorer. "I think I played there five times for Wales and never won.
"The England sides I played against were fantastic teams - very dominant - but I think most sides found that out, not just us.
"Twickenham is always a tough place to go. People say England haven't been as strong since the 2003 World Cup, but they made the 2007 World Cup final.
"England get a fair bit of criticism - some just, some unjust - but we are going to have to be at our best if we want to win on Saturday."
Jenkins, meanwhile, outlined Byrne's importance to a Wales team targeting a repeat of the 2008 Twickenham victory over England that kick-started a Grand Slam season.
"He has been in good form since he has come back from injury - he's a big player for us," added Jenkins. "We have got a pretty good replacement in James Hook if Lee does not make it. James played at 15 during the autumn and was outstanding, probably our best player.
"Obviously, we want our best players available, and Lee certainly fits that.
"Lee's aerial skills, his kicking, his communication skills, the lines he hits - he's a fantastic attacking player who brings out a lot in the guys around him."
Wales defence specialist Shaun Edwards said: "We are sure Lee will get a fair and proper hearing, and obviously we will go along with whatever adjudication they come out with.
"I think a lot of people are hopeful Lee will play a part in the game next Saturday.
"I have coached him for two years now, and he has got a real spring in his step at the moment. He is looking very sharp in training."