England vs Wales LIVE: Rugby result and reaction after Owen Farrell red card in Rugby World Cup warm-up
Steve Borthwick’s side rallied late after going down to 12 men to edge Wales at Twickenham
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Your support makes all the difference.England fought back to edge Wales 19-17 in a World Cup warm up full of incident, injury and yellow cards - and notably a red card for captain Owen Farrell that could see him suspended for their opening game of the tournament in France next month.
A dull game burst into life in the second half amid a flurry of sin-binnings for both sides, with one for England‘s Freddie Steward leading to a penalty try for Wales. England were reduced to 12 men with further cards for Ellis Genge and Farrell - later upgraded to red - and Tomos Williams put them further ahead with a breakaway try. However, Maro Itoje hit back for battling England, replacement George Ford converted then kicked the decisive penalty four minutes from the end.
England‘s fans were left somewhat bewildered as they had spent a frustrating hour wondering just how their team were going to score a try and play some rugby but left delighted by the gutsy comeback. Relive all the action from Twickenham LIVE below:
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England vs Wales: Anthems
A few red patches among the larger swathes of white England shirts in the stands.
England vs Wales
Out the two sides come to the White Stripes, Twickenham not, perhaps, bouncing, but plenty in with the summer weather playing ball. Ellis Genge and Josh Adams, each winning a 50th cap today, lead their respective sides out from the tunnel.
England vs Wales: Match officials
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GEO)
ARs: Andrew Brace (IRE) & Andrea Piardi (ITA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRE)
England vs Wales
The players have disappeared back into the dressing room, readying themselves for action. It’s pretty much must win for England - they started well in Cardiff last week without finding the finishing touches.
England vs Wales
The vibe feels good at Twickenham today, plenty of families in and hoping for something to cheer. As during the Ashes this summer, bucket hats are proving a popular purchase, which will please England hooker Jamie George, a proper cricket badger.
“We want to take the fans on a journey with us over the next few months,” George told BBC Sport yesterday. “I am a big cricket fan myself and I love the journey we have been taken on with the England cricket team. I think the way Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes have done that is incredible.
“I feel like we are going to get people out of their seats at Twickenham, and it’s about time. We as players are fully aware that it hasn’t been good enough over the last two years, and we have to make sure this Twickenham stadium is bouncing.
“I am really confident come this weekend - and kicking on from there - they are really going to be excited about what they see.”
England vs Wales
The sun has just ducked behind a cloud, with the breeze starting to blow more definitely as the players go about their final preparations. England are working through a few attacking shapes, with Elliot Daly slotting in at first receiver - his usage today will be intriguing in a side without a natural second distributor to complement Owen Farrell.
England vs Wales
Jamie Blamire is among England’s non-playing reserves today, the hooker left out of the World Cup squad on Monday but required as cover with Jack Walker not quite right as he works his way back from injury. That is also true of Ollie Chessum, though the Leicester lock is nearing a return and looks to be moving smoothly in the warm-ups. For now, though, it’ll be Jonny Hill (sporting some rather snazzy headgear) backing up Maro Itoje and George Martin.
England coach Steve Borthwick tells Henry Arundell to ‘trust his instincts’
Henry Arundell has been urged to “trust his instincts” against Wales as Steve Borthwick backs England’s rising star to become a gamebreaker at the World Cup.
Arundell makes only his second start in eight Tests when Warren Gatland’s men visit Twickenham on Saturday, lining up on the right wing of a team that is close to Borthwick’s strongest.
The 20-year-old is one of most exciting talents in English rugby and has electric running skills, and Borthwick insists he must not overthink his game.
“Henry is in great physical shape and he’s got such incredible natural talents that you want to ensure are always going to be there. We want him to trust his instincts,” Borthwick said.
“We want to give him the ball and I’m sure the opposition will know that and try to shut down the space, which may open up opportunities elsewhere.
“We’re aware of that but everyone is looking forward to seeing him. He’s a young man with a big future in front of him.
“When you look around world rugby right now you see teams who have players that can break the game up in different ways.”
Dewi Lake puts injury troubles behind him to lead out Wales at Twickenham
Dewi Lake will captain Wales for the first time on Saturday after an injury-hit 12 months plunged his Test career into cold storage.
More than a year after his last Wales appearance against South Africa in Cape Town, the Ospreys hooker has a chance to display World Cup leadership credentials.
As the countdown continues to Warren Gatland announcing Wales’ World Cup squad, Lake follows flanker Jac Morgan in being appointed skipper against tournament warm-up opponents England.
Lake missed the whole of Wales’ international schedule last term as a shoulder injury ruled him out of their autumn campaign, then a knee problem put paid to any Six Nations hopes.
“It is always tough with injuries and then they always seem to pile on each other,” Lake said.
“One comes after the next and you think am I going to break this cycle of getting a good run of games and showing that I’m good enough to be selected?
“I am grateful for the work of the people behind the scenes at the Ospreys put in with me to get me back fit. And here we are, I guess.”
Dewi Lake puts injury troubles behind him to lead out Wales at Twickenham
The Ospreys hooker is back on Test match scene following a series of fitness issues.
A starting chance for Ben Earl
After 15 consecutive England appearances off the bench, Ben Earl makes his first international start this evening. It’s a deserved opportunity for a flanker who offers something a little bit different in the back row, and while you’d imagine he’d be below both Tom Curry and Jack Willis in the openside pecking order, Steve Borthwick’s desire for extra pace might bring Earl into contention at some stage in France.
Earl’s injection into the starting side does mean that his Saracens mate Jamie George hangs on to one England record.
“There was a bit of an ongoing joke between us because Jamie has got the record of the most Test appearances off the bench without a start,” Earl explained yesterday. “I was two away.
“He’s a good mate of mine and he wasn’t the most proud to have that record. When he heard I was starting this weekend, I think he was quietly gutted.
“Not starting was something that was playing on my mind for sure. It’s no secret that my history with England has been a bit bizarre. It’s not just been one clear, upward curve.
“There have been times when you think it’s not going to happen, but you just crack on.”
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