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:
Wales 10-15 England, 59 minutes
A more aggresive grubber from Henry Slade takes a nasty hop on Leigh Halfpenny, cleanly cutting a line right up and over the full-back’s nose, but it fails to settle thereafter, hopping, skipping and leaping through the back of the in-goal.
Wales will have the scrum on their own ten-metre. Ben Curry replaces Jack Willis in the England back row.
Wales 10-15 England, 58 minutes
Fear not, frustrated England fans - your side still don’t mind a slightly aimless stab in behind when seemingly in good attacking position, as Jack van Poortvliet shows here. Christ Tshiunza covers; Wales clear.
Wales 10-15 England, 57 minutes
Steals both ways. Ollie Lawrence runs the hard line, as he is wont to, but England fail to resource a ruck properly, enabling Taulupe Faletau to get in over the ball.
Owen Farrell answers with a turnover of former Saracens colleague Carre, and with everything resembling an impressionist’s easel, Mathieu Raynal whistles play to a halt. England’s scrum.
Wales 10-15 England, 56 minutes
More aerial joy for England, advancing up the left from a Welsh fumble into touch.
Wales swap their props - Gareth Thomas has been struggling for the last few minutes and cuts a very sore figure as he and a medic traipse towards the touchline; Tomas Francis is moving rather better but done for the evening, too.
Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis are straight into the fray at scrum time.
Wales 10-15 England, 55 minutes
Changes for both sides, and on come the two individuals we flagged at half time introduced. Mako Vunipola’s extended warm-up was to prepare the prop to step in for Ellis Genge, while Dan Biggar replaces Owen Williams.
Also on for Wales is Nick Tompkins, with Mason Grady’s debut done. Solid enough from the centre, who you feel should have plenty more opportunities in a Welsh shirt.
Wales 10-15 England, 55 minutes
Two Welshmen receive brief treatment, Owen Williams one of them after a firm landing atop Anthony Watson after the two contested aerially.
Again both sets of players cast their eyes upwards into the Cardiff skies, with Wales knocking on near the touchline.
Wales 10-15 England, 53 minutes
Another free kick against England at the scrum as both front rows battle to get their set-up right. England take the resulting skyward lift securely.
Less so that one! Anthony Watson misreads the flight and Jack van Poortvliet has to drop on the loose ball.
Wales 10-15 England, 51 minutes
Jack van Poortvliet box kicks slightly shallowly, but good work from the chasers means it ends up back in England hands. Ollie Chessum is driven back, but Christ Tshiunza had knocked on during the aerial contest.
Here’s that Kyle Sinckler score - it was given on the field, so Mathieu Raynal must have spotted a grounding, even if one isn’t totally apparent:
Wales 10-15 England, 47 minutes
Neither side has been truly on top at the scrum today, but it’s been pretty messy throughout regardless. After a reset, Mathieu Raynal takes a pause between each instruction in a bid to deliver some stability, and England can’t resist driving early.
Wales tap and explore the leftward edge, but Leigh Halfpenny is handled and England win a breakdown penalty.
Wales 10-15 England, 47 minutes
Wales work phases on halfway, Mason Grady winning a collision but to little ultimate gain. Tomos Williams thus drops ball on to right toe, lifting a box in behind Anthony Watson, who beats a chasing Louis Rees-Zammit with a nifty pivot towards the touchline.
England threaten up the tramlines but Ollie Lawrence’s offload drifts forward. Wales scrum on the ten-metre line.
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