Wales and England will both run out at the Principality Stadium on Saturday knowing victory could get their respective campaigns back on track.
The game was only given a green light after the threat of a Wales players' strike was averted less than 72 hours before kick-off, with off-field issues having dominated the build-up. Will it prove to be too much of a distraction for Wales, or will it galvanise Warren Gatland's players?
He has made nine changes for the fixture as Wales bid to claim their first win of the 2023 Six Nations, having lost their first two games: 34-10 against Ireland and 35-7 to Scotland.
Meanwhile, England's go in search of a maiden away win under new head coach Steve Borthwick, and a first victory at the Principality Stadium since 2017. England lost their opener to Scotland 29-23 before bouncing back against Italy 31-14 in round two.
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Our rugby writers gaze into their crystal balls and predict the result:
Steffan Thomas: Wales will be fired up but England power will tell
It's very hard to be optimistic about Wales' chances this weekend given how bad they have been in the opening two rounds, and taking into consideration the external factors the players have had to deal with. It is unrealistic to expect the uncertainty and turmoil in Welsh rugby not to affect on-field performances.
But, having said that, I expect Wales' players to be fired up on Saturday and ready to prove a point not just to England but to their own governing body. I expect Wales to come out of the blocks firing and the crowd can play a big role in their performance.
This isn't a great England side, in fact it's pretty average, but one thing Steve Borthwick's side have in their favour is size and power in the front five. If Wales can match England up-front then they have a chance.
As strong as England are in the tight-five I think openside flanker Jack Willis is their key player. If Wales allow him to dominate the breakdown then it's game over which is why I'm baffled Gatland has omitted breakdown specialist Tommy Reffell from his starting XV.
It goes without saying Owen Williams will have to have his finger on the pulse but it may be asking too much of Joe Hawkins and Mason Grady on Saturday given they've got three Test caps between them.
I think Wales will be better than most people expect but in the end England's power will tell.
Wales 18-28 England
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Ben James: This could be too much for shattered Wales
Rugby has been secondary for the past week or so. Indeed, the opening two games against Ireland and Scotland seem a lifetime ago. It's hard to view those performances now without the context of what followed: they were matches played by a group of players at the end of their tether.
Strike action was avoided, but all isn't well in Welsh rugby, not by a long chalk. Players will be motivated for this after all that has happened, of course. But there are seemingly more forces working against them than for them. I'm not sure how many players are thrilled by the compromise reached in the last week, for starters.
Having seen the physical and mental toll endless meetings has taken on players throughout the week, it's hard to see that not having some sort of effect. One Welsh player suggested to me this week they'd be "f****d" after all the work they had gone through to get some sort of resolution.
Even in terms of selection, it's clear Warren Gatland is bouncing around from one idea to the next, hoping something will stick to give him a starting point. It's hard to nail down Wales' identity at the moment.
This time he has turned to an experienced pack and a youthful backline. Maybe Wales will channel all that has happened into something special in Cardiff, but that's one hell of an ask after the last 10 days.
Wales 12-26 England
Mark Orders: England look to have better balance against a Wales side in transition
The two sides boast new coaches and are building towards the World Cup, but England look further down the road than their neighbours.
They were panned after their performances during the autumn but managed a draw against New Zealand, which is better than anything Wales have come up with against the All Blacks over the past 70 or so years. On the same day as the men in white shared the spoils with the Kiwis, Wales were losing at home to Georgia.
That said, Wales v England is a fixture where form doesn’t always hold sway. How many times have the Red Rose brigade arrived in Cardiff flushed with confidence only to leave with ambitions punctured? And better English sides than this one have come unstuck this side of the River Severn.
To win, Wales need their forwards to play with authority. They need Ken Owens to find his targets unerringly in the lineout, they need Alun Wyn Jones to roll back the years and they need Adam Beard to assert himself; they also need Justin Tipuric to remind all of his class and Taulupe Faletau to point the way alongside him. The two props, Gareth Thomas and Tomas Francis, have to trouble their opponents and work tirelessly around the field, while Christ Tshiunza will have to take another step forward after his encouraging show against Scotland. Oh, and it goes without saying the backs have to be better because they were dismal at Murrayfield.
Maybe it is asking a bit much for a side in transition. Maybe England look to have better balance to their team and a stronger bench.
And we haven’t even discussed the off-pitch turbulence of the past week in Welsh rugby, events that are bound to have had a disruptive effect.
The visitors are deserved favourites, then, but it is overdue for Wales to hit some form. From a Welsh perspective, Saturday would be a decent time for that to happen.
Wales 23-28 England
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