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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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40 mins: It's a slow and lathargic end to the half, as Gareth Davies misses touch, only for England to kick deep to Biggar, who takes the mark and kicks the ball into touch to end the half.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:05

Half-time: Well it's fair to say that the game hasn't quite lived up to last week's standards. A slow start to the match saw us go 25 long minutes without a point, which Biggar thankfully ended by kicking Wales's third penalty in quick succession. England haven't really threatened that much this week, and although Wales  only made the breakthrough when England were down to 13, it's just reward for their dominance in the first half.

It was a massive shame to see James Davies leave the field so early with injury, while we're not sure if Willi Heinz will return for the second half after taking a whack to the head.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:07

Half-time: ​It looks as though Willi Heinz will be returning, as Youngs has come out at half-time with the rest of the replacements.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:17

Half-time: The two teams are back out and we're ready to go. Aaron Shingler is on for Wales with Wainright off, and Heinz is indeed back out there.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:19

41 mins: ​England kick off and the second half is underway!

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:19

42 mins: England look t o get some much-needed territory as Daly dinks a low one into touch inside the Welsh 22.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:20

42 mins: It allows Anthony Watson to return from the sin-bin, restoring England back to a full complement of 15 players, while Navidi needs a spot of attention on his nose. He's going to resumne with two large bits of tissue paper wedged up his nose, but he's front and centre to hold up Billy Vunipola as he runs one back and Wales get the scrum.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:22

45 mins: Changes for England as Jamie George and Joe Marler are on in the front row, with Genge and Cowan-Dickie heading off.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:27

46 mins: England win a scrum penalty about six metres inside the Welsh half, but Ford will turn down the chance at goal and instead finds touch just inside the Welsh 22. This is really England's first opportunity to threaten - can they take it? Heinz has departed for good now with Ben Youngs on, while Warren Gatland swaps both props as Smith and Francis depart for Wyn Jones and Dillon Lewis.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:28

49 mins: England have a 5m lineout after Wales put the ball into touch from a Ford kick, but the driving maul goes wrong and Wales get the shove on England, forcing it down to the turf and winning the put-in. Great defence from Wales there, but it was a bit of a mess from the English.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:30

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