Dan Lydiate insists revenge will be on the menu when Wales tuck in to their summer tour taster against England at Twickenham on Sunday.
The Wales flanker admits there is sufficient motivation to erase the memories of the Six Nations loss to the Grand Slam champions 10 weeks ago, aside from the benefits of a hit out before the three Tests in New Zealand.
England won 25-21 in March after a stirring Wales fightback that followed a listless opening during which Wales fell 19-0 behind.
Lydiate admitted: “The first half of that Six Nations game is still hurting. We’ve got a chance to play against the Grand Slam winning side and the boys are really looking forward to it.
“We are still scratching our heads now about the first half. It was tough watching it back and nobody wants to feel like we did after that game again, so we’ve just to make sure our preparation is right and we fly into the game.
“All credit to England, they flew into us and we were found wanting. We weren’t at the races at all.
“It’s always a big challenge going there but one that you relish. We are looking forward to this weekend to hopefully start the tour off on a strong foot.”
Sunday’s game is just as important to England in terms of preparation work as they are also heading south to face Australia.
Ospreys flanker Lydiate added: “Both sides will get a lot out of having a big hit before going out on our tours. You always rub your hands together when you get the chance to play England and hopefully it will serve both teams well.
“To have a really good blow-out and get back to that international intensity before we go Down Under will be great.”
Lydiate, 28, who is set to win his 57th cap for his country, finished a low key domestic season notably under par by his standards.
It may have been a result of the Ospreys’ own struggles or perhaps the Lions back rower took time to adjust back to the Guinness Pro12 after his difficult spell in France with Racing 92.
But he believes he and the other members of the Wales squad are now back in prime condition as they prepare to take on the All Blacks.
“We were in last week and had quite intense sessions. The boys are looking in good shape, everyone is lean and there have been a few PBs.
“That shows everyone has been diligent with their training and what they have been eating because we know it’s a big tour.
“There has been a lot of rugby played this year but you just focus on the next challenge. This game has soon crept up on us and on Monday we will be flying out to New Zealand.
“We have a massive game ahead of us that will hopefully put us in good stead to head to New Zealand with confidence.”