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 20-9 England, 63 minutes
This performance really will please Warren Gatland, a young side riding the rigours of being second best for most of the first 40 minutes and then coming out with extra intensity and an accuracy England have lacked in this second half.
Still time left for a turnaround, though. An England scrum penalty allows them to advance up the right.
Wales 20-9 England, 62 minutes
Magnificent cover defence from Freddie Steward and Ellis Genge! It’s nearly a dream first touch for Grady, an emasculating swat of Max Malins as he picks and drives from 15 out and the replacement centre seems a certainty to score in the corner. But Steward wraps the legs as he attacks the ankles, rolling Grady towards touch and allowing Genge to provide the requisite biff to force him fully on to the chalk before a try-scoring arm can be extended.
Wales 20-9 England, 61 minutes
England go again to their bench, George Ford replacing Marcus Smith at fly-half. But the Principality crowd are starting to roar, Mason Grady introduced as Wales begin to build again.
TRY! WALES 20-9 England (George North try, 59 minutes)
George North shimmies past Jack van Poortvliet and flops over under the posts!
England never quite recovered after Biggar’s bobbler caused them all sorts of bother on the left. Wales play with excellent contuinity and edge ever closer, Tomos Williams picking his moment to spread it wider and find his centre. Van Poortvliet is left out of the line on his lonesome and all too easily sent away with a matador’s flick of the cape. The conversion is simple.
Wales 13-9 England, 56 minutes
All of those changes have just disrupted the rhythm of a contest that was starting to bubble.
Better! Wales play to width on the left and Dan Biggar’s intelligent grubber is gathered by Leigh Halfpenny!
Wales 13-9 England, 56 minutes
Sinckler and Dan’s first involvement is at the latest failed scrum, with England pinged.
Those set pieces haven’t been pretty today - unlike this Welsh score.
Wales 13-9 England, 55 minutes
A couple more debuts for England: Tom Willis replaces Alex Dombrandt, with 30 minutes to try and steal a spot as Billy Vunipola’s back-up, while Theo Dan is on for Jamie Blamire, who had an up-and-down day. Kyle Sinckler is on, too, for Will Stuart.
Wales replace their half-backs, Dan Biggar getting a roar as he strides out alongside Tomos Williams. Gareth Davies and Sam Costelow depart, with the first-time starter getting a hug and a pat on the head from Biggar as the veteran steps in at fly-half.
Wales 13-9 England, 54 minutes
Joe Marchant arrives on Marcus Smith’s inside with ideal timing, Smith’s flat flip putting him into a gap. But Smith knocks on in the next phase to grant Wales another reprieve.
Wales 13-9 England, 53 minutes
Charge down! Jack van Poortvlier blocks an attempted clearance from Sam Costelow, his former Leicester academy half-back partner, but can’t quite spot the spinning ball, running five yards in the wrong direction and allowing Wales to recover and smother. Wales clear up to their own ten-metre but fail to find touch.
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