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:
England 16-14 Wales
72 mins: England captain Jamie George departs and Theo Dan on in his place. A big final eight minutes for the young man.
England secure the kick-off, run a phase or two and clear into Welsh territory. This game is going down to the wire.
A couple more subs - Kieran Hardy on at scrum half for Wales and Alex Coles on for Ethan Roots in England’s back tow.
PENALTY! England 16-14 Wales (George Ford 71’)
A simple penalty for George Ford after that Grady error and England lead with nine minutes left.
YELLOW CARD! England 13-14 Wales
71 mins: Boos around Twickenham - the England fans think it’s deliberate. It was Ford’s pass and Grady only gets one hand on the ball... Was he going for it with his second hand, making it a legitimate catching attempt and not a deliberate knock-on?
NO! The ref says a deliberate knock-on and Wales will be down to 14 for the rest of the match with Mason Grady in the sin-bin.
England 13-14 Wales
71 mins: The crowd making huge noise now - a big lineout for England and it’s safely secured. Good maul defence again from Wales to stifle it.
England spread the ball and Grady tries to intercept. He knocks on but is this deliberate and a yellow card for Wales?
England 13-14 Wales
70 mins: Scrappy in midfield but Jenkins tidies with a good carry. An attempted kick clear then cannons into Dan Cole (he’s a big lump to be fair) but the ball rebounds the Welsh way.
Williams’ subsequent kick clear is more conventional but brilliantly taken by Steward, leaping over Dyer!
Then it’s a 50-22 for England! Ford in trouble just inside his own half, dances around, decides to kick and it’s a beauty, bouncing once and into touch. Good passage for England.
England 13-14 Wales
69 mins: Taine Basham on to the field for Wales in the back row and a change at No 9 for England. Probably the loudest cheer of the day greet Danny Care, on for Alex Mitchell!
Care’s 98th cap, he’s edging ever closer to that magical century but there’s bigger fish to fry today as England try to turn this game around.
England 13-14 Wales
68 mins: England go wide to Freeman again but the Welsh covering defence is strong and they turn the ball over at the breakdown! Williams can box-kick clear - good defence.
England 13-14 Wales
66 mins: England building again and on the attack. Freeman makes good yards down the right flank into the 22.
Back the other way and Earl’s powerful carry gets over the gain-line.
England 13-14 Wales
64 mins: Big-carrying Chandler Cunningham-South comes on for Sam Underhill.
And Ryan Elias has the same issue as a week ago! he overthrows the lineout, England gather on halfway and kick into Welsh territory.
TRY! England 13-14 Wales (Fraser Dingwall 63’)
There is! England go wide left and score!
Soon after Genge’s carry, the ball is spread to Ford, he finds Daly who is stumbling forward but holds on to the ball and flings it out to Fraser Dingwall on the touchline as he falls and the centre dives over in the corner.
Ford’s touchline conversion goes wide so England still trail.
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