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 6-6 England, 30 minutes
England’s lineout doesn’t quite click and they are a little aimless thereafter.
That’s more like it! A skip and a step from Marcus Smith and he puts his ex-Harlequins mate Joe Marchant into space. Leigh Halfpenny gets just enough of the centre’s leg to prevent him cantering beneath the posts and Wales scramble superbly to force an errant toss from Max Malins on the right. Welsh hands are first to the loose ball and they clear their lines.
Wales 6-6 England, 27 minutes
Will Stuart and Dave Ribbans carry in a forthright manner, building some momentum, before England skipper Ellis Genge disrupts the flow with a wayward offload.
England go to the boot, then, and draw an error from the Welsh catchers. It’ll be the visitors’ lineout to throw 25 metres out.
PENALTY! WALES 6-6 England (Leigh Halfpenny penalty, 26 minutes)
A second three pointer for Leigh Halfpenny from a virtually identical position as his first. England were cut open all too easily at the back of that lineout, Joe Cokanasiga and Jamie Blamire both, perhaps, guilty of stalling to leave space for Rees-Zammit to hurry on to an inside ball.
Wales 3-6 England, 24 minutes
Louis Rees-Zammit scorches through! A lovely inside ball to the wing and he’s dragged down a few metres short.
Lewis Ludlam gets hands on the ball but can’t quite snare it. Wales continue, Rio Dyer screaming for it in space on the left but never found. England eventually nick breakdown ball - but not before straying offside.
Wales 3-6 England, 23 minutes
Wales punt to the fringes of England’s 22.
Wales 3-6 England, 21 minutes
Wales get their scrum engagmeent spot on this time, starting to put the pressure on as Gareth Davies extracts. Christ Tshiunza flicks deftly for a teammate, shifting the point of attack at the line, but Leigh Halfpenny is a sitting duck for two England tacklers as Wales try to play out the back.
An English infringement draws the outstretched arm of advantage. Nic Berry soon whistles for the penalty as a Sam Costelow chip comes to nothing.
Wales 3-6 England, 20 minutes
Joe Cokanasiga then makes a hash of his aerial effort, under limited pressure but letting Sam Costelow’s high hoist slip through his fingers. Not the tidiest of starts from England’s wing behemoth.
Wales 3-6 England, 19 minutes
Ellis Genge and Corey Domachowski meet meatily on the left edge of the Welsh defence, loosehead into loosehead. A score draw.
Engalnd kick but the Welsh backfield is appropriately resourced.
PENALTY! WALES 3-6 England (Leigh Halfpenny penalty, 17 minutes)
Wales are up and running. Leigh Halfpenny bisects them from just left of centre.
Wales 0-6 England, 16 minutes
Better from Wales, with Sam Costelow attacking the line and causing issues! Costelow frees Elliot Dee, who is rather biffed into by Ellis Genge making a vital cover tackle.
England have been pushing the offside line throughout this opening quarter and stray past it a couple of phases later. Leigh Halfpenny removes his scrum cap as the tee is trotted out.
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