Wales vs England LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations grudge match in Cardiff
Wales 10-20 England: England edge a scrappy clash in Cardiff as Anthony Watson, Ollie Lawrence and Kyle Sinckler score
Tries by Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Lawrence propelled England rugby to a nervy 20-10 victory over Wales rugby in a scruffy Six Nations encounter that showed how much both teams have to do to become competitive in the championship.
England started strongly with an Owen Farrell penalty and a well-crafted try for Watson, making his first start for two years, but Wales briefly led after an intercept try by Louis Rees-Zammit at the start of the second half.
England regained the lead when Sinckler burrowed over and though they were on top for most of the second half, they made the game safe only 10 minutes from the end with another well-crafted try finished off by Lawrence.
It was England’s second successive win following the home victory over Italy but made it three defeats out of three for Wales, who rarely looked dangerous, to complete a wretched week where the fixture was in doubt after the players threatened to strike in their row with the Welsh union.
Relive the action from Cardiff below:
Try? Italy 0-0 Ireland, 2 minutes
A scintillating move from Ireland up the left but James Lowe’s face might tell the story - the frustrated look of the wing suggests he may not have grounded cleanly...
Italy 0-0 Ireland, 1 minute
Nearly an early disaster for Italy, who have had some woes exiting during this tournament. The first attempted clearance is charged down, spinning just about into Italian hands to allow for a more complete kick upfield.
Italy vs Ireland
Firm words in the the final Irish huddle from Ross Byrne, delivering the key messages in Johnny Sexton’s stead.
The Ireland fly half will get the action underway.
Match Officials
Referee: Mike Adamson (SRU) ARs: Wayne Barnes (RFU) & Craig Evans (WRU) TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Italy vs Ireland: Anthems
My word - the Irish players look mighty confused by a slightly odd, non-traditional arrangement of “Ireland’s Call” that crawls along. How peculiar.
“Il Canto degli Italiani” is far more familiar - and delivered it typically rousing style.
Italy vs Ireland
Up the steps and out into the afternoon come Ireland, James Ryan leading the way, Craig Casey with a shuffle left and right to warm the ankles.
Michele Lamaro heads the Italian line, out to a healthy roar from the crowd.
A charming Rome day
There is some rain forecast in Rome later but, for now, it’s a very pleasant early spring afternoon in the Italian capital. The crowd looked slightly disappointing for their tournament opener against France but Six Nations executives felt that was somewhat down to it being held on a Sunday - the television audience was very, very good, I’m told. Hopefully there will be a lively atmosphere today with the potential Grand Slammers in town.
Ireland plan to ‘rough up’ Ange Capuozzo
There was a crackle and a fizz of anticipation every time Ange Capuozzo got the ball at Twickenham two weeks ago, and the young full back managed to cut England open a couple of times even with reasonably limited opportunities. While the attention on Capuozzo does mean the development of some of his backline colleagues has been slightly overlooked, he is such a threat in open space, and Ireland have come armed with a plan to counter him.
“He’s an eyes-up player so I think if we can get our hands on him and rough him up a bit that would help us,” Mack Hansen said this week of how the visitors will try to handle the 23-year-old.
“He’s not the world’s biggest player but he’s so quick that we’re probably going to have hunt in threes to take care of him.
“But when it comes to it, we’re going to have to focus on every player in that backline as well – they’re all super-quick whippets.”
Mack Hansen urges Ireland to ‘rough up’ Italy’s Ange Capuozzo to stop him
Hansen is wary of “genuine superstars” in the Azzurri ranks.
Italy’s own midfield changes
Italy also have a new 10-12 axis, and while Paolo Garbisi’s return is pleasing news for Kieran Crowley, the head coach’s selection of Tommaso Menoncello in the centres is much more intriguing. The young back has been on the wing for the first two rounds of the championship but sees his future in midfield, where his blend of physical traits and defensive nous should make him an ideal fit. During his brief stint at Benneton, former England defence coach Paul Gustard described Menoncello as one of the five best young players he had ever worked with, which speaks to the 20-year-old’s talent.
He partners his Treviso colleague Juan Ignacio Brex, quietly having another impressive Six Nations. The pair have performed well for Benneton for the last 18 months or so and should test that changed Irish centre partnership.
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