by Our Sports Desk

NEIL JENKINS said yesterday that England will “work ways out” to deal with the pressure and expectation that accompanies being a World Cup host nation.

England kick off the tournament against Fiji at Twickenham tonight and former Wales star Jenkins knows from personal experience that host nation status brings a different dimension.

Wales were principal World Cup hosts 16 years ago, launching the competition against Argentina in Cardiff, and Jenkins said: “I certainly felt it (pressure) back in 1999.

“We were the host nation and we had had a pretty good year, so there was a fair bit of pressure on ourselves. There was a lot expected of us and Argentina, who we played first, as they were a pretty good side as well.

“It was a strange day, if I remember rightly. The whole day, with the opening ceremony and not being able to go out on to the pitch and warm up our kicks before the game, meant it was different.

“We had to warm up inside and do things a bit differently but it was a huge occasion. It was a tough, physical game but one we managed to get through.”

Fiji are unlikely to be fazed by what awaits them tonight, then Wales are next up for England eight days later in a first major 2015 World Cup showdown.

“There will certainly be a lot of pressure on England, that’s for sure,” added former Wales fly-half Jenkins, who amassed more than 1,000 points during his Test career.

“They are the home nation and they are expected to do well, so there is a huge amount of pressure on them, without doubt. There was on us in 1999.

“But you live to deal with that. England are a very good side and I am sure they will work ways out to minimise the pressure on themselves.

“But again, you cannot hide from the fact that you are the home nation, you are expected to do well and teams want to knock you off, and that is something we will be hoping to do.”

However, Graham Rowntree told England to embrace the “time of their lives,” declaring that it is under-pressure Fiji whose nerve will be tested.

“There’s a lot of talk about this word ‘upset,’ but we’ve prepared well for this game,” forwards coach Rowntree said.

“For our guys, this is the time of their lives. They are on their own turf, in front of their families and friends, with potentially 15 million people watching on TV, 50 million country-wide supporting them.

“The players are aware of that support, so which team is the pressure on? That’s my question.

“We’ve been ready for a couple of weeks. We’ve trained exceptionally well. It’s been a long three months and it’s been a tough camp.

“We’ve had a good workout against some great nations in France and Ireland in our warm-up games. The lads are fitter than they’ve ever been. I’m excited for them.”