England v Wales highlights: Six Nations score and reaction as hosts cling on for dramatic win at Twickenham
England 16-14 Wales: England produce second-half comeback to dramatically edge past old rivals Wales at Twickenham
England’s ambition of making a fresh start on their return to Twickenham failed to produce the hoped-for fireworks but they at least had the resilience to dig out a 16-14 victory over Wales.
For the first time in Six Nations history, Warren Gatland’s team led at the interval in their great rival’s stronghold after storming 14-5 ahead through a penalty try and Alex Mann touch down.
But the favourites hit back when Fraser Dingwall went over in the left corner before George Ford stepped up to land the decisive penalty in the 72nd minute, rewarding a more polished second half.
Relive all the action from Twickenham in the blog below:
Tommy Reffell stars to give Wales half-time advantage
When Steve Borthwick took the job of England head coach, he shared an amusing little anecdote of how he had asked his sons, Hunter and Chase, which players he should pick. The first name that the youngsters, big Leicester fans, came up with? Tommy Reffell.
Reffell has long been a Welsh international but you can see why Borthwick’s boys wanted him in an England shirt. The flanker has been outstanding so far at Twickenham, a constant nuisance at the breakdown and linking superbly in phase play. Remember that he would not even be starting at seven if Jac Morgan was fit – what depth Wales have on the openside.
WATCH: First-half highlights from England v Wales
Here’s a few highlights from that first half at Twickenham. Good viewing for Wales, who had scored just one first-half try at Twickenham in the Six Nations era before today but now have two!
HALF-TIME! England 5-14 Wales
A real sucker punch for England just before the break with that Mann try and Wales are in control at Twickenham now.
England played a lot of that half with a one or two-man disadvantage but they’ve not been precise enough in attack. Tommy Reffell among others has been immense for Wales
TRY! England 5-14 Wales (Alex Mann 38’)
Out of nothing, Wales have a second try!
It’s a great initial carry from Reffell to get miles over the gain-line. Thomas then shows great hands for a prop to offload the ball to Reffell on a subsequent phase, he flicks inside to Williams and the scrum half frees the supporting Alex Mann to run it in under the posts.
Lovely play by Wales and the easy conversion from Lloyd makes it 14-5.
England 5-7 Wales
37 mins: Freeman jumps and claims a high kick but Wales captain Jenkins is over the ball and prises it loose for a turnover. England’s pack not supporting Freeman there.
England 5-7 Wales
36 mins: England haven’t had a real attacking platform to build from since the Earl try but Dyer’s kick clear after calling mark in his own 22 doesn’t reach halfway.
England can’t claim the lineout though. Scrappy play and Wales clear their lines
England 5-7 Wales
34 mins: Great carry from George North sending tacklers bouncing off him. But England then turn the ball over as Underhill absolutely crunches Gareth Thomas, causing him to drop the ball! Thirteen tackles from Underhill already today!
Though Slade’s subsequent kick is more high than far, Lloyd fields it and can’t stay in bounds on the touchline. Not great from the fly half.
England 5-7 Wales
32 mins: Joe Marler shaken up and receives treatment near halfway but some running repairs and the prop is back in business.
England run a strike play off their own lineout but it’s knocked on in midfield. England back up to a full complement of 15 players by the way as Roots’s sin-bin is over
England 5-7 Wales
31 mins: The best part of 20 phases from Wales but they’re well outside the 22 now as Lloyd gets caught on a wraparound.
Beard powers Wales back to the 22 but eventually an overly-ambitious offload from the floor is knocked by Tomos Williams, England recover and boot clear. Great defence by England – completely solid in the face of 25 phases!
England 5-7 Wales
30 mins: Good defensive set by England, gradually forcing Wales backwards, out of the 22. Freeman and Ford cause havoc at one breakdown but Wales retain possession.
It’s all static though from the visitors.
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