Phil Vickery says that England must not underestimate the challenge that faces England in their SixNations opener against Wales at Twickenham this weekend.
In particular the former England captain described Wales' front row as the best in world rugby and without regular England starters Andrew Sheridan and Vickery himself England could struggle in the scrums.
Wales are expected to arrive at Twickenham with their front row consisting of Adam Jones, Matthew Rees and Gethin Jenkins who boast a combined total of 162 caps and are the same unit which demolished South Africa's scrum in last year's second Lions Test.
On that British and Irish Lions tour Vickery played with all three of the Welsh scrummagers and said on Monday: "Gethin, Adam and Reesy are the best front row in the competition, if not the best front row in world rugby."
"Gethin has an engine and a heart the size of a double decker bus." he told AOL.
"Matthew's throwing in and his scrummaging are strong and he will work all day long for you. Adam will just keep going.
"For me, it is not just about the player but about the person. I don't really see anyone better.
"England will come up against the best Welsh team there has been for a long time."
As Vickery and Sheridan have both been ruled out for the whole Six Nations there are only two capped props in England's squad are London Wasps loose-head Tim Payne, with 15 international appearances behind him, and Bath tight-head David Wilson, who has just four.
England Boss Martin Johnson will announce his squad to play Wales on Tuesday and he will have to name either Matt Mullan or Dan Cole in the squad.
Both props are both highly-promising but rookies at international level.
