Wales captain Sam Warburton says Saturday’s World Cup showdown with England will be the “biggest game” of his career so far.
The sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday evening and although it is not a knockout match in terms of World Cup aspirations, the losing team will see their quarter-final hopes suffer a huge dent from a pool that also includes Australia.
Despite the pressure, Warburton is relishing the opportunity of competing in front of what he expects to be a fiery Twickenham crowd.
"You know it's coming, and it's a huge game," the 26-year-old said. "It is one of the biggest Wales versus England games in history.
"It's my fourth game at Twickenham, and they've got better and better atmosphere-wise. Another year down the line, and it's only going one way, the atmosphere.
"It (Twickenham) is my next favourite stadium to the Millennium. It will be very passionate, and hopefully a few more Welshmen there than normal.
"This is probably the highest-profile game of my career, I think.
"It will probably be the most-watched game, including a Lions Test series. I read that there has been more demand for these tickets than for (World Cup) final tickets.
"That hits home how big it is. Unless we meet again in the final - you never know - this will be the biggest game I've played in."
Warburton also revealed how he copes with the build-up to a game of such magnitude, adding: "You switch on and off.
"Days like today and tomorrow you start thinking about the game. Warren (Wales head coach Warren Gatland) wouldn't go giving big speeches on Monday or Tuesday, or even today.
"He is quite chilled out, and I am the same. You know when the time is right."
Gatland has gone with his tried and tested Wales back-row of Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Taulupe Faletau for the game with England.
But Warburton is well aware of openside specialist Justin Tipuric's outstanding form.
"Justin has been playing as well as he has been for the last four years," Warburton said. "It is a dynamic that people are used to.
"Justin has been a top-class seven for many years, not just now. He's one of the most difficult players I've played against. He's all over the pitch, and it is great knowing we have someone like that on the bench to do a job."
And asked for his verdict on England boss Stuart Lancaster selecting former rugby league star Sam Burgess in midfield on Saturday, Warburton added: "It didn't surprise me.
"To have a player of his ability in the squad, he's a big-game player. He has played in some huge matches in rugby league.
"Anyone to doubt him is foolish. He is a wonderful athlete, with a great skill level, and he is a leader."