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As it happenedended

Wales vs England result: Hosts win to move top of world rankings ahead of Rugby World Cup

The two met in a Rugby World Cup warm-up clash in Cardiff

Jack de Menezes
Principality Stadium
Saturday 17 August 2019 18:15 BST
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Wales went top of rugby union's world rankings for the first time after beating England 13-6 in Cardiff.

Wales' rise to the summit, which ended New Zealand's unbroken 10-year occupation, comes just 34 days before the World Cup kicks off in Japan.

It was an impressive warm-up performance for the tournament as they reeled off an 11th successive home win, with George North's first-half try ultimately proving the difference as Wales took full advantage of Anthony Watson's yellow card to make the most of England's lapse in concentration to score.

The rest of Wales's points came from the combined boots of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny, while England could only must two penalties in response to suffer defeat six days after beating Wales. Re-live the action below.

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20 minutes in the bag and still no score. That entry was quite something though, wasn't it? 

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:37

21 mins: This should be the first points of the game now as Wales receive a penalty on the English 22 when Launchbury makes contact with the jumper in the lineout. However, they turn down the kick and Biggar puts it into the corner again.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:39

23 mins: It's another chance wasted by Wales as Launchbury easily managed to get through the driving maul and sack the jumper, giving England possession.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:41

24 mins: A lengthy pause ends with James Davies going off the field, and he heads straight down the tunnel looking very disconsolate. I wouldn't expect to see him back at all today, and Josh Navidi comes off the bench to make his return from injury.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:43

25 mins: Wales work a 5m lineout well and a little hesitation from Gareth Davies at the ruck cause the England line to come offside, resulting in Gauzere giving the hosts the penalty. Biggar takes it instead of Halfpenny, but the result it entirely predictable as it's bang in front of the posts and finally, we have some points! 3-0

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:45

30 mins: Wales cough up the ball in the 22 and Ford boots it downfield - so far that it trickles over the Welsh try line to allow Halfpenny to dot it down for a 22 drop-out. There's another pause as Biggar needs treatment on a facial injury, but he'll be good to continue.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:50

31 mins: Halfpenny provides a nice reminder of why he's among the very best in the air with a delightful take over Joseph, but from the next up-and-under from Wales the ball is spilt forwards by North and England get the scrum put-in on the Welsh 10m line.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:51

32 mins: England work a chance as Ford dances his way through the line, but from the ensuing ruck Heinz drops the ball in the tackle and Wales counter. Gareth Davies makes a break and the stadium comes to life, but when they come left again Watson knocks the ball on when he's outnumbered and Gauzere is not impressed by that. He wants a second look at this, having already given the penalty. This could be yellow...

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:53

32 mins: ​Yep, it's yellow, and Watson is into the sin-bin. Wales take the penalty quickly and catch England out...TRY FOR WALES!

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:55

33 mins: England are going to be furious with that. The yellow card itself is debatable as the offence happened inside the Welsh half. But Willi Heinz had just left the field for an HIA, and for some reason Ben Youngs didn't come on, with the scrum-half being made to wait by the side of the pitch. It left England down to 13, and Biggar had taken the penalty quickly to send a cross-field kick over to Adams. He collected it in acres of space, beat Daly and fed the ball to Jonathan Davies, and when it came back to Biggar he sent over another cross-field kick to the left that George North collected and scored. Biggar converts the try and Wales have a healthy lead. 10-0

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:58

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