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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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Rugby World Cup 2019: England's 31-man squad

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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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66 mins: England break! George collects the ball from the lineout and breaks away down the blindside. He offloads to to Youngs and he releases to Watson and he turns on the afterburners and steps Halfpenny. But Wales are back as Biggar makes a big tackle on Ludlam, and gets on top of the ball to force the penalty. Great defence.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:53

70 mins: Wales win another penalty and kick deep into the English 22, but suddenly England are awat as Itoje intercepts Aled Davies' pass. The lock sprints away and into the Welsh half, before Biggar gets back and jumps on him 0 literally. England go right and Sinckler chips it forward forgetting he's a prop, but Wales give the penalty away and England have a big chance as Farrell goes to the corner.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 15:58

71 mins: Wahey! It's all kicking off now! England make a mess of their attack, but after the whistle the Welsh forwards drive Sinckler back. England take full exception to this and pile into the Welsh, and soon enough all 46 players are involved in a scuffle that ends with Elliot Dee and Farrell getting to know each other a bit better. Gauzere ticks off both captains - Jones and now Farrell with Ford off - and we'll resume with a scrum to Wales on their 22.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:00

74 mins: Halfpenny collects his own up-and-under and gets nailed by Daly for his efforts, but the England defence are caught offside and it hands Wales a penalty inside the English half. Halfpenny will take it, and it's about five metres shorter than the one he missed.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:03

76 mins: Halfpenny gets it! It may be Wales's first points of the half but it pushes the lead out to seven points. England need a try. 13-6

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:04

76 mins: Changes for both sides, as Biggar is replaced by Jarrod Evans and Owen Watkin is on for Parkes, while Jack Singleton - a hooker by trade - is on in the back-row for Lewis Ludlam.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:05

79 mins: Farrell makes a half-break and the momentum sees England win a penalty. They send it to the corner...but Wales wrap up the ball and get the scrum put-in! A huge moment for the home side.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:08

80 mins: ​The clock has gone red...

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:10

80 mins: Evans gets the ball and boots it into touch!

Wales beat England 13-6 to become the No 1-ranked side in the world!

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 16:11

Make sure you check out our player ratings, as we run the rule over the two teams with the World Cup just a few weeks away:

Vithushan Ehantharajah17 August 2019 16:59

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