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 0-8 England, 20 minutes
That’s a bit of a coach killer - England immediately infringe, Jamie George sealing off at the first ruck after the restart.
Leigh Halfpenny will hope to get the hosts’ scoring underway.
TRY! Wales 0-8 ENGLAND (Anthony Watson try, 19 minutes)
A brilliant England try!
It’s outstanding attacking interplay from the visitors, cutting up the centre initially before finishing the job out wide. Max Malins attacks from a withheld position off the blindside wing, taking Owen Farrell’s inside ball and smuggling it into space. Ollie Lawrence might have been away with a better pass infield from Malins, Lawrence’s tumble perhaps also aided by an early tug of his shirt.
It matters not, though, as England work the hands to exploit an under-resourced Welsh defence to the left, Alex Dombrandt producing the final miss pass to put Anthony Watson in. The wing marks his first start in an England shirt in nearly two years with a gleeful leap into the corner.
Wales 0-3 England, 17 minutes
Leigh Halfpenny is given a healthy tonking by Anthony Watson, weighting his kick perfectly to enable the wing to have a burly inspection of the Wales full-back’s ribs.
Christ Tshiunza strides up the left, but loses control of his handle on the ball as he tries to free his long limbs for an offload.
Wales 0-3 England, 16 minutes
Real threat from England in phase play. Ollie Lawrence hits a crash ball hard on Alex Dombrandt’s shoulder, and sharp handling from the backs puts Anthony Watson into space on the outside.
Wales cover across well, though, and regather rather swifter than England’s forwards, who crash around the corner in a muddle and are penalised for obstruction. Jack van Poortvliet couldn’t quite generate the swift ball the forwards thought they had to charge on to, causing the issue.
Wales 0-3 England, 15 minutes
Lewis Ludlam takes the plaudits of his teammates as he works hard to earn a breakdown penalty from the goalline dropout.
Wales 0-3 England, 14 minutes
Mason Grady really does have a presence about it, all stomping muscluar intent as he strides again to the outside shoulder. His pass to Josh Adams, playing on the left wing but wearing 14, forces a stall, and Freddie Steward dots down Adams’ kick through in his own in goal.
Wales 0-3 England, 13 minutes
Jack van Poortvliet is defeated by the spin of the ball, but his Leicester chum Freddie Steward is there to cover his teammate’s error.
Owen Farrell sends the full back off in pursuit of his latest high hoist, but Wales defuse it effectively.
Tomos Williams answers with one of his own, and Louis Rees-Zammit snares it!
PENALTY! Wales 0-3 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 10 minutes)
All of 45 metres for Owen Farrell, but centrally positioned, and thus not overly troublesome. England on the board first.
Wales 0-0 England, 8 minutes
Joe Hawkins wins the gainline firmly with a hard, straight charge. His centre partner Mason Grady shows his footballing side, dribbling a grubber up the left, but Freddie Steward’s positioning is again sound.
Ollie Chessum rides a low tackle from Gareth Thomas, and Wales then fail to vacate a midfield ruck after Ellis Genge had toted the ball. Owen Farrell beckons the tee on.
Wales 0-0 England, 6 minutes
Until then! A slightly loose ruck from the visitors and Wales are in to scavenge on the scraps, nicking the ball to clear up beyond halfway. Sharp work from Taulupe Faletau, spotting a ball left exposed and stealing it from Jack van Poortvliet.
Still the ball remains in though in a sapping series. England explore the right, Lewis Ludlam making a half-break as a retreating defender is forced to leave him alone. Back to the left...knocked on. A welcome pause for two fatiguing sets of forwards, who will pack down for a scrum.
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