HOOKER Scott Baldwin believes a "full-blown Test" against the old enemy England is essential if Wales are to stand any chance of stunning world champions New Zealand on their own turf.

Warren Gatland names his side this morning for the Twickenham 'friendly' against the Six Nations champions on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

The Wales boss intends to go with a strong line-up for the 129th international fixture with the English before they fly Down Under on Monday.

With three Tests against the All Blacks plus a challenging midweek encounter with the in-form Chiefs, Baldwin says this is not just a summer money-spinner.

"It will be very beneficial. We are going into a tour against the best team in the world and they've been the best team in the world for four or five years now," said the 27-year-old Ospreys front row forward.

"If we were to go out there and play them undercooked it would be an even tougher ask than it is. We are playing England, who will be very confident.

"It's a case of getting combinations together again, as we maybe haven't played together for a while.

"It's a different game-plan from what you play with the regions. So we'll be looking for a full hit-out, while not forgetting that's it's a full-blown Test match on Sunday and we have to be on the money mentally and physically to get a result."

The ledger stands at one win apiece this season with England winning the Six Nations encounter but Wales taking the spoils in the crucial World Cup thriller.

This weekend's hosts may be missing some key individuals because of the Aviva Premiership final between Saracens and Exeter – Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Billy Vunipola, Mako Vunipola and Luke Cowan-Dickie from the March win against Wales – but Baldwin doesn't expect that to affect English intensity.

"It's almost as if we've had a three-Test series against England in the last 12 months so we'll look to leave these shores on a win," he said.

"They are missing a couple of players, but there's a lot of strength in depth in England at the moment and the majority of the squad will be there for them at the weekend.

"They have Kruis and Itoje out and they bring in (Joe) Launchbury and (Courtney) Lawes - they're not inexperienced boys by any means – and they are going to want to put a mark down going forward to their tour to Australia so there are chances for them.

"There are some young faces in there who want to make a big statement as well so I don't think it's going to take anything away from their game at the weekend with their players missing."

Newport Gwent Dragons prospects Hallam Amos and Tyler Morgan will be hoping to join Taulupe Faletau in the squad for Twickenham. Go to southwalesargus.co.uk/sport from 11am for details of Gatland's side.