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:
Team News - Wales
The Welsh side has a slightly experimental look, with a smattering of debutants in the 23 as Warren Gatland looks to find out more against a squad made all the more inexperienced by the high-profile withdrawals earlier in the summer. Starting rops Corey Domachowski and Keiron Assiratti both win first Wales caps, while Henry Thomas, who won the last of his seven England caps in 2014, provides tighthead back-up.
Gloucester-bound centre Max Llewellyn partners George North in a super-sized midfield, while Kiwi convert Taine Plumtree is the fifth potential debutant in the 23, the back row having been uber impressive since coming into camp in June. Leigh Halfpenny becomes Wales’ ninth centurion, bringing up cap number 100 at full back
Wales XV: Corey Domachowski, Ryan Elias, Keiron Assiratti; Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands; Christ Tshiunza, Jac Morgan (capt.), Aaron Wainwright; Gareth Davies, Sam Costelow; Rio Dyer, Max Llewellyn, George North, Louis Rees-Zammit; Leigh Halfpenny.
Replacements: Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith, Henry Thomas, Ben Carter, Taine Plumtree; Tomos Williams, Dan Biggar, Mason Grady.
Wales vs England
A very good afternoon and welcome to a slightly wet, slightly wild Cardiff, where Wales and England are just about ready to step up their preparations for the World Cup. It’s audition time for much of the rugby playing world, with 20 cast lists of 33 to be named over the next few weeks ahead of the tournament start on 8 September.
England and Wales ready for pre-World Cup battle with ‘an elephant in the room’
The tournament in France is a month away, with the first World Cup squads, including England’s, to be named on Monday
It’s a good step forward – Freddie Steward welcomes ‘Bunker’ review system
Freddie Steward has welcomed the introduction of the ‘Bunker’ review system after enlisting the help of a psychologist to move on from the controversial red card he received against Ireland in March.
England’s full-back was sent off at the Aviva Stadium for making a dangerous tackle on Hugo Keenan but a hugely contentious decision was subsequently overturned by a disciplinary hearing.
World Rugby has since trialled a procedure designed to help referees make the right call that will be in place throughout the Summer Nations Series, which will see England face Wales in Cardiff in their opening match on Saturday.
The Bunker enables a foul play official to review yellow cards at the request of the referee, with the scope to upgrade them to a red if warranted by the offence.
Any incident will be analysed while the match continues and the player is in the sin-bin, thereby preventing the type of lengthy delays witnessed when Jaco Peyper deliberated over Steward’s red card.
“It’s a good step forward. Games are significantly affected because when it’s 15 v 14 it’s a different game,” Steward said.
“If the right decision is made or the wrong decision is made, it gives an opportunity to correct that which is good for the game.”
It’s a good step forward – Freddie Steward welcomes ‘Bunker’ review system
Steward was sent off against Ireland earlier this year before the decision was overturned by a disciplinary hearing.
England hoping Tom Curry will feature in World Cup build-up despite ankle issue
England are confident that Tom Curry will play a role in their build-up to the World Cup as he recovers from a twisted ankle.
Curry sustained the injury in training this week and will be sidelined for up to a fortnight, potentially ruling him out of the opening two matches of the Summer Nations Series which begins against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.
The Sale flanker is a certainty to be picked in Steve Borthwick’s World Cup squad when it is announced on Monday, but England will take no risks with the fitness of one of their most influential players.
England hoping Tom Curry will feature in World Cup build-up despite ankle issue
Curry sustained the injury in training this week and will be sidelined for up to a fortnight.
Warren Gatland vows struggling Wales will do ‘something special’ at World Cup
Warren Gatland has backed Wales to do “something pretty special” at the World Cup in France.
Wales face England in their opening tournament warm-up game on Saturday after winning just two of the last 10 Tests.
A miserable Six Nations campaign produced a fifth-placed finish, while player contracts, financial issues throughout Welsh professional rugby and the threat of a players’ strike significantly compounded matters.
Wales have also dropped to ninth in World Rugby’s official rankings and seen talismanic figures like Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Rhys Webb all retire from international rugby since the end of last season.
Head coach Gatland, though, has delivered an upbeat message ahead of Wales’ preparation games against England home and away, plus South Africa, before a tough World Cup opener against Fiji in Bordeaux on September 10.
Asked if he relished Wales being written off, Gatland said: “Yeah. Continue to do it because it’s only going to make us stronger.
“I am really excited. I’m telling you this team will do something pretty special.”
Warren Gatland vows struggling Wales will do ‘something special’ at World Cup
Wales launch their World Cup warm-up schedule against England.
Wales vs England live stream: How to watch Rugby World Cup warm-up on TV
England’s players face a last chance to impress before Steve Borthwick names his World Cup squad as they travel to Cardiff to take on Wales.
The England head coach will name his final selection of 33 players for the tournament on Monday.
Wales, meanwhile, have another couple of weeks before their squad is announced, but a number of those on the fringes of the squad will be hoping to stake their claim for a spot.
Warren Gatland’s side were beaten by their visitors at the Principality Stadium during the Six Nations.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Wales vs England live stream: How to watch Rugby World Cup warm-up on TV
Everything you need to know ahead of the Summer Nations Series fixture
Wales vs England - Rugby World Cup warm-up
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s coverage of the Rugby World Cup warm-up clash in Cardiff between Wales and England.
With the naming of squads for next month’s tournament edging ever closer, players on both sides will be desperate to impress their head coaches and book a spot on the plane to France.
Stick with us for full live coverage of the contest.
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