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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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Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Rugby World Cup warm-up clash between Wales and England, brought to you from pitchside at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Wales will be looking for revenge following last weekend's defeat at Twickenham, but they have been forced into three changes through injury as Gareth Anscombe, Adam Beard and Justin Tipuric are all absent through injury. Dan Biggar starts at fly-half in Anscombe's absence, while Jake Ball starts at lock and James Davies at flanker, meaning that the Davies brother both start a Test for the first time as Jonathan is named at outside centre.

England have also made three changes, with Tom Curry ruled out with the shoulder injury that he suffered last weekend. Courtney Lawes comes into the back-row as Lewis Ludlam moves to the openside, while Maro Itoje replaces Charlie Ewels in the second-row and Ruaridh McConnochie comes into the back line to make his debut.

However, England have a doubt over McConnochie once again this week due to muscle soreness, and a decision on his inclusion will be made this morning with Jonny May and Anthony Watson on stand-by.

We'll begin our full build-up coverage from 1pm ahead of kick-off at 2:15pm.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 08:57

The headline news so far is that England have been forced to make a late change after Ruaridh McConnochie dropped out through injury.

The Bath back has suffered a "minor muscle strain" and will be replaced on the right wing by club-mate Anthony Watson, England announced on their official Twitter account.

It is the second time in the space of six days that injury has prevented the 27-year-old from making his England debut.

Ben Burrows17 August 2019 13:05

McConnochie was due to play in the opening fixture of England's build-up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan last weekend.

But he missed the 33-19 victory against Wales at Twickenham with a hip problem.

The winger is a sevens specialist who won a silver medal with Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

Bath team-mate Watson made his comeback from a serious Achilles injury in last weekend's win.

Ben Burrows17 August 2019 13:21

A reminder of today's teams in Cardiff.

Wales: L. Williams, North, J. Davies, Parkes, Adams, Biggar, G. Davies, Smith, Owens, Francis, Ball, A. Jones, Wainwright, J. Davies, Moriarty. 

Replacements: Dee, W. Jones, Lewis, Shingler, Navidi, A. Davies, J. Evans, Watkin. 

England: Daly, Watson, Joseph, Francis, Cokanasiga, Ford, Heinz, Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Lawes, Ludlam, B. Vunipola. 

Replacements: George, Marler, Sinckler, Kruis, Singleton, Youngs, Farrell, Tuilagi. 

Kick-off in sunny south Wales is a little over 20 minutes away.

Ben Burrows17 August 2019 13:37

The streets are heaving in Cardiff as usual as fans leave it to the minute to pile into the stadium. Once again, England have had a disruptive preparation, but it didn't affect them too much last weekend.

In Anthony Watson, they have one heck of a replacement for Ruaridh McConnochie, though you have to feel for the wing who misses out on his debut for the second time in two weeks.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 13:51

This match may just be warm-up match, but it could have big ramifications for the world rankings.

If Wales win today, they will overtake New Zealand as the No 1 side in the world, even though the All Blacks thrashed Australia 36-0 this morning.

But if England manage to win by 16 points or more, then Eddie Jones' side will go to the top of the rankings, and Wales will drop from second to fourth. Had the All Blacks lost earlier today, they could have ended the weekend as low as sixth position.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:01

Now there's disruption for Wales. We're hearing that Liam Williams is OUT of the team today, meaning Leigh Halfpenny will come into the side in the No 15 shirt.

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:04

The fire shoots high into the sky from the flamethrowers as the players run out to a huge ovation. The roof is open, but it's still a mighty cauldron in here! Time for the anthems...

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:10

Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau is roared out beautifully - that really was something quite special - but the pitch is cleared and it's business time.

Will it be two from two for England, or will Wales gain revenge. Here we go...

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:14

KICK OFF: WALES GET THE MATCH UNDERWAY!

Jack de Menezes17 August 2019 14:16

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