Wales vs England LIVE: Rugby World Cup warm-up result and reaction from Cardiff
Wales 20-9 England: Steve Borthwick’s England conceded a mammoth 22 turnovers in a sloppy defeat to Warren Gatland’s men
England began their final phase of Rugby World Cup preparation in horribly underwhelming fashion as Wales sent them spinning to a 20-9 defeat in Cardiff.
Second-half tries from Gareth Davies and George North staved off a fifth successive home loss for Wales as England boss Steve Borthwick was given plenty to ponder less than 48 hours before he names his World Cup squad. Few players left lasting impressions, although there were some impressive moments from fly-half Marcus Smith and No 8 Alex Dombrandt, with Wales responding superbly to a three-point interval deficit.
England were abysmal with their ball retention, conceding a colossal 22 turnovers, and Wales did not require a second invitation to capitalise. Full-back Leigh Halfpenny marked his 100th cap by converting both tries and kicking two penalties, with Smith kicking England’s points through three first-half penalties.
England’s opening World Cup game against Argentina is just five weeks away, yet Borthwick will not be reaching for any panic button with three warm-up fixtures still to come on the August schedule. For Wales, it was a significant confidence-booster following a fifth-placed finish in last season’s Six Nations as they recorded just a third win from the last 11 Tests.
Relive the clash below:
Wales run riot in second half to leave England reeling in World Cup warm-up
England’s began their final phase of World Cup preparation in horribly underwhelming fashion as Wales sent them spinning to a 20-9 defeat in Cardiff.
Second-half tries from Gareth Davies and George North staved off a fifth successive home loss for Wales as England boss Steve Borthwick was given plenty to ponder less than 48 hours before he names his World Cup squad.
Few players left lasting impressions, although there were some impressive moments from fly-half Marcus Smith and number eight Alex Dombrandt, with Wales responding superbly to a three-point interval deficit.
Wales run riot in second half to leave England reeling in World Cup warm-up
Steve Borthwick was given plenty to ponder less than 48 hours before he names his World Cup squad.
Steve Borthwick reacts after England’s defeat
“I think that, before the game, I wanted to see the foundations of our game. One of the key areas was the attack - in that first half we created a load of opportunities in the 22 and in test rugby you’ve got to score when you are there. We came away with three penalties and weren’t able to create any scoreboard pressure. It’s one of the big takeaways from it. In the first half, our set-piece was strong. But in the second half, both of those areas faltered.
“Ultimately, it was a lot of handling errors and errors in contact. Our breakdown was good against a team that jackal a lot, but the handling errors cost us. We couldn’t maintain pressure. There are areas to work on. To create that many entries into the 22 is a step forward from where we are but what we need to do is convert those opportunities.
“Over the coming weeks, the team will start to sharpen up. From my point of view, I am looiing forward to announcing the squad on Monday and the test at Twickenham against Wales on Saturday.Before the game, I was pretty clear on my squad selection but I’ll reflect on this game.
“The game today informs many different elements. It is another step for us as we build forward. I have spoken to the team and everyone knew that turnovers [cost us], and the count I saw was 21 to 9 - it’s very difficult to win tests with that turnover count.
“I will speak to all the players tomorrow morning and inform them of selection.”
Warren Gatland speaks to Amazon Prime after Wales beat England
“I was a little bit apprehensive this morning because I wasn’t quite sure how things were going to go. I was looking for a performance and it was a good start today. It was the performance I was more interested in and I thought those guys put in a performance today. The last 20 minutes we looked comfortable.
“We wanted a bit more linespeed. In that first half, we probably weren’t quick enough coming off the line. We slowed some of their momentum well, started that second half with some pace and intensity in that first ten minutes. It was a pleasing start - I thought we defended well, Aaron Wainwright was excellent, Jac Morgan excellent, the second row. The scrum was a bit messy, so we’ll need some clarification on that. I thought young Sam Costelow grew into the game as it went on and he’ll learn from that.
“One of the things about test match rugby is you can’t coach experience. You’ve got to learn it out there.”
Leigh Halfpenny reacts to the Welsh win
“It’s been a special week,” the centurion tells Amazon Prime. “All thanks to the whole group, players, staff. They’ve made it a real special occasion and I can’t thank them enough. Special mention to the boys winning first caps as well. We’re delighted to get the win.
“It’s beyond my wildest dreams. The dream was to play for Wales, to get one cap, let alone this. It hasn’t quite sunk in to be honest. It’s been a journey.”
FT: Wales 20-9 England
England never got going in the second half but the first 40 might frustrate Borthwick more - a series of mishaps inside the Welsh 22 prevented his side capitalising on their territorial dominance. Some clunkiness might have been expected given the make-up of the side and this being a first hit-out of the summer, but too many of England’s errors were basic in nature.
FT: Wales 20-9 England
A performance that will really encourage Warren Gatland, that, his Welsh side scoring 14 unanswered second half points to put a slipshod England away.
Few in English white emerge in credit - which might make Steve Borthwick’s job of narrowing down his squad to a group of 33 to travel to the World Cup a little easier. Borthwick and his coaches convene for a final selection meeting tonight.
Wales 20-9 England, 80 minutes
But the England maul goes nowhere and Tom Willis fumbles on the floor. That’ll be that!
Wales 20-9 England, 79 minutes
England can launch a final offensive from the fringes of the Welsh 22. Tom Willis is stood up by Dan Biggar and does rather well to wrestle through the fly-half’s choke tackle to the floor. Tom Pearson drops a shoulder into Biggar on the deck, drawing a few boos from the stands - but the penalty is England’s, and poked into the right corner.
Wales 20-9 England, 77 minutes
Jac Morgan is named the player of the match, a popular choice and a just one, too, after a standout performance from the Welsh skipper.
England’s inaccuracy strikes again at the scrum, the ball popping free far sooner than the visiting pack would’ve liked. A fly-hack ahead briefly threatens danger but Wales make a hasty retreat to smother it.
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