Hard-man Phil Vickery is ready to prove England cannot be bullied by the Welsh pack in their Six Nations clash in Cardiff.

The London Wasps prop, who many believe should still be captaining England, revels in hand-to-hand combat in the front-row, where Wales gave Scotland a torrid time as they began their defence of the Grand Slam title with a 26-13 win.

Wales exposed a lack of power created by the loss of Euan Murray, the injured Scottish tight-head prop, and now it will be Vickery who has to nullify Welsh attempts to establish a psychological advantage over an England pack that was comfortable without ever dominating Italy at Twickenham.

Vickery has a tattoo on his arm which reads in Chinese script "I will fight you to the death", and that mentality will be needed at the Millennium Stadium.

The 69-cap England prop has won five of his eight matches against Wales and England will need to improve considerably from the 36-11 Italian victory if he is to experience another triumph.

Vickery today challenged his team-mates by stating: "What each player in this squad has to do is look in the mirror and ask 'Are you doing everything you can? Where can you improve those one or two per cents that can have a massive impact on the team?'

"We have to play with the kind of ambition that is shown week in, week out with our Premiership clubs and if we do that, we will be a much better team. It was pretty demoralising losing three matches during the November Test series and there wasn't a lot to be taken out of it."

With Wales claiming a comfortable victory over Scotland 24 hours after England toiled, the home fans have even more reason to make life difficult for the old enemy at the Millennium Stadium. Vickery, though, will relish the occasion as he feeds off the very public hostility England attract on any foreign field.

"I far prefer playing away from home at international and club level because it is the ultimate test," he said. "I love that kind of challenge and it's why I play the game. I pick up lots of things being shouted at me by the Welsh supporters and when you are as big-headed as me you don't tend to take any notice.

"I am really looking forward to Cardiff because it is one of the best places in the world to play rugby. We have to go there this weekend with the belief that we can give a good account of ourselves and if we do that then we have a real chance."

Meanwhile, World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio delivered a stinging attack on his former team-mates, accusing them of failing to deliver at Test level. Andrew Sheridan was singled out for criticism, with Dallaglio insisting it was time the loose-head prop lived up to his reputation as a world-class scrummager.

"Andrew owes England a big performance because he was magnificent against Australia in the World Cup but that was 2007 and we need that week in, week out," said Dallaglio. "You could level the same criticism against other players and that is what being the best in the world is all about - not doing it every five or six games.

"There are players in the team who are taking too long to fulfil their potential. You wouldn't be quaking in your boots playing England at the minute. We have this attitude at the moment where our players walk around thinking they are the bees knees. There are a lot of guys who think they are there - but they are not."

Dallaglio, an ambassador for Greene King IPA, knows how England can improve. He added: "I want to see some passion and anger from England because Wales look like a group of guys who know exactly what they are meant to be doing while England didn't seem to understand what they were trying to achieve on against Italy.

"I am surprised Martin Johnson has kept his anger because you need that brutal honesty with each other because that's what makes a great team."