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:
PENALTY! Wales 6-9 ENGLAND (Marcus Smith penalty, 43 minutes)
England take a narrow half time lead.
Wales 6-6 England, 41 minutes
England’s props force a penalty out of their Welsh counterparts. Joe Marchant is unhappy that George North’s extended fingers deny him a chance to hurry on to a flat Marcus Smith pass - but North’s knock was backwards, saving him from a yellow card and a possible penalty try.
Back for the scrum penalty, which Smith will aim for goal.
Wales 6-6 England, 41 minutes
Corey Domachowski is then over-eager to put his weight on. A free kick against the debutant loosehead. England opt for, you guessed it, a scrum.
Wales 6-6 England, 39 minutes
Marcus Smith interjects before the front rows can get down and start pushing, making sure Care is aware of the call. A reset keeps the clock ticking towards halftime.
Wales 6-6 England, 38 minutes
What can Wales put together before half-time? They’ve had precious little ball or territory but find themselves level on the scoreboard, their scramble defence just about keeping them in it.
Not much, it would seem. Marcus Smith sends up a skier which is knocked on by first Welsh and then English hands. Danny Care will put in to what might be the final scrum of the half, about 15 metres out.
Wales 6-6 England, 35 minutes
England fluff their lines again! A short blast from Nic Berry as England are free kicked for a player leaving the lineout before the ball has been thrown. A basic, basic error and another missed opportunity.
Wales 6-6 England, 33 minutes
The visitors are increasing carving the Welsh edge defence to pieces, though. There’s a suspicion that a wide pass from Joe Marchant to Lewis Ludlam is forward but the flanker is allowed to sprint on, and Louis Rees-Zammit slightly cynically paws at Danny Care’s passing hands to disrupt the scrum-half at the ruck. Penalty to England, again inside the Welsh 22 and hoping to make more of this chance at points.
Marchant looks to have hurt himself, but the centre will try to run off his leg issue as Marcus Smith prods into the left corner.
Wales 6-6 England, 32 minutes
And England have another lineout mishap to allow Wales to kick out of their 22. England aren’t making these possessions inside the Welsh red area count.
Wales 6-6 England, 31 minutes
A swap of sides for hooker Jamie Blamire, throwing an England lineout on the opposite touchline 25 metres out.
England cut Wales open! Alex Dombrandt bursts free from Ellis Genge’s inside ball. Can Joe Cokanasiga muscle over?...No! Two Welsh tacklers drive him towards touch and Wales again scramble brilliantly.
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