England manager Martin Johnson saw reason to smile during his side's latest training session at the Millennium Stadium © Getty Images

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Matches: Wales 23 - 15 England

Players/Officials: Martin Johnson

Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations

Teams: England

England boss Martin Johnson has refused to be drawn into pre-match war of words ahead of his side's Six Nations showdown with Wales in Cardiff.

Wales coach Warren Gatland launched a timely attack on England this week accusing them of a negativity and followed that up with claims that his side had cracked their opponent's lineout code. But Johnson has refused to rise to the bait declaring, "We do not have to justify how we play to anyone."

England were widely criticised for a lack of creativity in their opening Championship victory over Italy last weekend and Johnson has acknowledged that there is work to do for his side if they are to upset Wales at the Millennium Stadium. "I understand people's frustration about how we played last week and we shared that sometimes. At times we could have hung on to the ball a little more. We know there is lots of improvement in us.

"But ultimately we won the game, a game people were fearing we may lose to Italy for the first time. Our objective is always to win the game. When you get to big games people don't actually care how you win.

"If we win by a point tomorrow English rugby fans will be happy, let's be honest. But we are going to have to play very well to do that. It's going to be very intense."

Johnson has added bulk to the side that saw off the Azzurri with Joe Worsley drafted in at open-side and Mike Tindall recalled to the centre and is well aware it will take a huge performance from his side to upset the in-form Welsh.

"When you get to the Millennium Stadium playing a confident and talented Welsh team, you are going to be up against it. We will find out what we are about. I thought last week Wales were strong, they overpowered Scotland on man-on-man tackles and most of the time won the collisions which gave them momentum to win the ball pretty quickly.

"You have to win those battles and we have to be sure in our system defensively. We've got to have bloody-mindedness to handle the crowd noise. If we start well and impose ourselves on the game we will be in a good place."

Johnson also played down Gatland's claims regarding the England lineout code, saying, "Teams can pick up bits and bobs. Body language can give things away, you can pick things up off pitchside mikes. Sometimes it's a factor, sometimes it isn't. One or two line-out steals at key times can be crucial so it's an area you've got to be aware of. Whether we use the same calls, line-outs as we did last week...we are pretty confident in our line-out."

Experienced England prop Phil Vickery is relishing the challenge, declaring, "I don't fear anything. Wales went on from that game at Twickenham and they backed it up with their performances and they have set the bar. We are under no illusions because Wales are a very good side - but we also have some very good players and we want to go out and show what we can do tomorrow."