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England head coach Stuart Lancaster says Wales' recent resurgence hasn't surprised him as they prepare for a titanic encounter with Rob Howley's men on Saturday.
The Red Dragons went on an eight-match losing streak before turning that form around with three successive away victories in the Six Nations.
It gives the Welsh a shot at the title with an eight-point victory guaranteeing them the championship, and Lancaster has praised Saturday's opponents for their resilience.
"Wales have been very good and they've played very well," he said. "They had their rough time during the autumn series and people were writing them off.
"We looked at them and we never once thought they have turned into a poor team. You can see the quality of their players, one to 15 and even up to 23 really.
"Playing at home is obviously a big advantage for them but credit to them they've won their away games. They deserve a chance to have a shot at the championship which is what they've got this weekend."
Despite winning all four of their games in the tournament so far, England were disappointing in their last match, eventually overcoming Italy 18-11.
After an unconvincing display against the Azzurri, some people have questioned the Red Rose's Grand Slam credentials, but Lancaster is confident they can rectify any issues.
He added: "It's about getting the balance right, it's about getting that mental preparation right and the off-field coaching, making sure that we've got a clear plan going into the game."
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