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Mike Phillips believes Wales have "raised the bar" from last season as they prepare for stage two of their latest Six Nations title and Grand Slam missions.

The reigning Six Nations champions made a flying start last weekend, scoring four tries in recording only a third victory over Scotland at Murrayfield since 1985.

England are next up in Cardiff on Saturday, with Wales seeking a hat-trick of Six Nations wins against them for the first time.

Phillips (pictured) and company have been installed as 2/9 favourites - England are 3/1 - which confirms the apparent gulf in class between two of rugby union's fiercest international rivals.

"We've got to be confident after the way we won on Sunday," said the Ospreys scrum-half.

"But England will be a tough match.

"It is the biggest game on the calendar and they will be up for it. But we've got enough firepower to win - we want to be on their case all the time.

"It will be a nice tag to have, going in against them as favourites.

"It will be a tough first 20 minutes against them but if we come out like we did against Scotland it will be great.

"We hit the field running and all the boys were oozing confidence throughout because they know they've got the talent coming off the bench as well.

"We prepared for it superbly and in training the work-rate has been there. We have raised the bar a lot from last season and it's 10 to 15% more professional again this time.

"Our record at Murrayfield has not been the best but we showed how professional we were, we carried it through and it showed the quality of the side."

Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to name his team tomorrow after delaying the announcement by 48 hours because of injuries.

Star wing Shane Williams is among those injury concerns, battling to overcome an ankle problem suffered late in the action at Murrayfield.

Williams' fellow Lions Ryan Jones and Gavin Henson, meanwhile, both missed the Scotland encounter through calf muscle strains.

Gatland is giving all three players as much time as possible, although Henson could struggle to make it even if he is fit, given the mighty midfield performances of Jamie Roberts and Tom Shanklin in Edinburgh.

And Wales will face England after rising to their highest position in the International Rugby Board world rankings.

The comfortable win against the Scots took them above Argentina into fourth place, behind New Zealand, South Africa and Australia.

When Gatland took charge in November 2007, Wales were reflecting on a humiliating World Cup pool-stage exit from a lowly ranking of 10th, below the likes of Fiji and Scotland.

But 12 Tests later, Wales have won the Six Nations crown, landed a Grand Slam, beaten Australia and enjoy a success rate under Gatland nudging towards 70 per cent as they prepare for England's visit.

SportingLife / Eurosport