Not a day for romantics

I count myself fortunate for several reasons. Firstly, a man called Mad Jon was a late pull-out. Secondly, the chaps are splendid company. Thirdly, at least I've actually made it to the match.

Little did the Six Nations organisers realise the problems they would cause when they scheduled the Wales v England clash for 14 February.

Fellow fan Martin, nailed on for a spot in the Passat just 24 hours before, had his day-pass revoked by a fuming Mrs Martin late last night.

As his hopes went up in smoke, so did his mate Mike's. "If he's not going, why should you?" was the drift. A friend of Damo's isn't even being allowed out of the house.

It's a shame. Apart from missing out on some amusing recollections from Damo on previous trips to Cardiff - spontaneous cheese-eating contests, misguided attempts to kiss Billy Beaumont - they'll be missing the most hotly-anticipated match of the tournament so far.

But not everyone, it seems, can appreciate the romance of this famous old fixture. In households up and down the country, the following sort of conversations have been reported between fans and partners:

LADYFRIEND: "So what are we doing on Valentine's Day? Romantic walk? Posh meal? A weekend away?"
MAN-FAN: "The last one. Sort of. I'm going to Cardiff to watch Wales-England."
L: "What? Rugby? On Valentine's Day?" (scary pause) "Why?"
MF (nervously): "Ah, that's when the game is."
L: "On Valentine's Day? That's ridiculous. Can't you get them to do it on a different day?"
MF: (Pauses, runs imaginary scene through head where he attempts to phone W Gatland and M Johnson and requests match to be brought forward to Thursday): "It's a big ask."
L: "Well, what time will you be home? At least we can go out for a meal in the evening."
MF: "Ah, early hours Sunday. At best. It's a 5.30pm kick-off, so..."
L: "WHAT?
MF: "It's not my fault - they decided ages ago."
L: "Well, you'll just have to get them to play earlier."
MF: "Another big ask."
L: "Can't they start at 10am?"
MF: "Erm..."

For Wales fans, there's genuine hope of a Valentine's Day massacre to avenge the 60-26 humiliation in the corresponding fixture at Twickenham 11 years ago.

Even the bookies have the home side as 1/5 favourites, eyebrow-raising odds for a two-horse race.

For England fans, there's a phlegmatic feeling of resignation, with just a small glimmer of optimism that something miraculous might happen.

Maybe the Welsh line-out will be shaky again. Maybe the loss of the talismanic Shane Williams will rattle the hosts. Maybe it'll be like the World Cup quarter-final against Australia 16 months ago, when a written-off England somehow ground out a old-fashioned win over a much-favoured, far more expansive opponent.

Then there's the stats. Since the Six Nations began, England have scored twice as many points in this fixture as Wales - 290 to 144. Of the 117 encounters between the two, England still have the edge - even if it's just by one win, 53 to 52.

Hell, England are even on top of this season's Six Nations table, even if they can hardly be described as sitting pretty after that ghastly performance against Italy.

Who will end the day broken-hearted? Let's see how the fling works out.