Killer blow: Scott Williams touches down
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A solo try from Scott Williams in the 76th-minute handed Wales a 19-12 Six Nations victory over England at Twickenham on Saturday and with it the Triple Crown.
The replacement back's breakaway try at the death put Wales into the lead for the first time in an enthralling battle after England had led 9-6 at half-time.
There was tension right up to the final whistle however as England wing David Strettle crossed after the final hooter but television match official Iain Ramage adjudged there to be insufficient evidence that he managed to ground the ball.
While Stuart Lancaster's team will be bitterly disappointed by the narrow defeat, the young side can take encouragement from their best performance of this year's Six Nations.
Wales meanwhile remain on course for the Grand Slam, with home games against Italy and France still to play.
Wales did most of the early playing but England opened the scoring in the 24th minute when Owen Farrell split the uprights. It took Wales less than two minutes to reply as Leigh Halfpenny landed his second attempt at goal to level the scores.
After a slow start England were growing in confidence and looking dangerous. A brilliant tackle from Sam Warburton denied Manu Tuilagi a try but Farrell was able to restore the hosts' lead with another penalty around the half-hour mark.
A beautiful strike from long range by Halfpenny drew Wales level once again as the game began to grow in pace and the big hits continued to rain down.
England would head into the changing rooms in front however as Farrell made it three-from-three on the stroke of half time.
The second period started terribly for Wales as Rhys Priestland was charged down and then shown a yellow card as he tried to make amends by preventing an England try by jumping the gun at the breakdown on his own try-line.
Farrell duly added three more but Halfpenny restored the status quo before Priestland's time in the sin-bin had been served.
Farrell missed his fifth attempt at goal before being limping off to be replaced by Toby Flood but Halfpenny was on target with nine minutes left on the clock to leave the scores locked at 12-12.
Williams then turned match-winner, ripping the ball off Courtney Lawes and chasing down his own kick to score, before Strettle was denied at the death.
Man of the match: There are a number of candidates with Owen Farrell belying his young age with another cool performance. Manu Tuilagi made an impressive return to the English midfield but Wales skipper Sam Warburton gets the nod after a top show. A try-saving tackle on Tuilagi in the first half was just one of countless hits.
Moment of the match: The 81st minute. David Strettle dives over. He is rolled over by Jonathan Davies and tries to ground the ball behind his head before it is pushed back over to the wrong side of the line. Does it graze the surface? The TMO looks at it from every possible angle. It could go either way. Twickenham waits...in vain.
Villain of the match: N/A
The scorers:
For England:
Pens: Farrell 4
For Wales:
Try: S. Williams
Con: Halfpenny
Pens: Halfpenny 4
Yellow card: Priestland (Wales - 45th min - professional foul)
England: 15 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Ashton, 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi, 12 Brad Barritt, 11 David Strettle, 10 Owen Farrell, 9 Lee Dickson, 8 Ben Morgan, 7 Chris Robshaw (capt), 6 Tom Croft, 5 Geoff Parling, 4 Mouritz Botha, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Dylan Hartley, 1 Alex Corbisiero.
Replacements: 16 Rob Webber, 17 Matt Stevens, 18 Courtney Lawes, 19 Phil Dowson, 20 Ben Youngs, 21 Toby Flood, 22 Mike Brown.
Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (capt), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Alun-Wyn Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Gethin Jenkins.
Replacements: 16 Richard Hibbard, 17 Paul James, 18 Ryan Jones, 19 Justin Tipuric, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.
Venue: Twickenham
Referee: Steve Walsh (Australia)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Pascal Gauzere (France)
TMO: Iain Ramage (Scotland)
Comments
kybone says...
Overall i thought Wales just deserved to win mainly because they weren't let down by individuals like we were. In a game like that you have to use your bench so i suppose its the choice of players to have on the bench which should be criticised really. Matt Stevens is quiye simply an absolute clown. The warnings about keeping hands off the ball were clear for all to hear and Stevens ignored them. What makes it worse is that he didn't even do anything good to balance it out! Makes a mockery of PR's prediction of him to start for the Lions next year! Ben Youngs is another player who makes more mistakes than enough. He just needs to be left with Leicester until he gets some form back. There are plenty of other scrum halves in the prem. Courtney Lawes just needs game time to get back to his best and we should have a look at someone else as backup for number8 as dowson doesn't have the physicality at this level. Haskell will be back in england next year and he can cover all 3 back row positions and is also a fantastic im[pact player so thats quite exciting.
To me it was a try at the end. Some people clearly need to learn the rules as regards downward pressure as they seem to think that you literally have to be pushing down on the ball for it to be a try. You don't. If you have it under control and you touch it to the turf then that is a try! I do admit that it was very difficult to see whether it was actually grounded over the line.
As for Wales, i predicted after the world cup that in 2 or 3 years time they will be the best team in the world and that is the kind of game that they will learn the most from as it was just like a world cup semi in the way it was played. Also its a game that will have made them realise that they need to have a plan B because they won't always steamroller teams.
Posted 16:00 28th February 2012
RibZed says...
In amongst all the usual varied opinions, richardjones comment is absolutely spot on. As a lifelong football player/ fan, I look on enviously at the infinitely superior code of behaviour - both on and off the pitch - that rugby boasts. It should be cherished, nurtured and retained at all costs.
I was fortunate enough to visit the Millennium Stadium to see Wales Scotland this year and the atmosphere in and out of the stadium was just fantastic. It is the self-regulation - amongst fans, players and coaches - that keeps the sport in good health. I pray that it continues and don't really like the increase in rugby refereeing criticisms that so pervades football culture.....so incredibly wise having seen 16 replays of a particular event!
The game on Saturday was a brilliant spectacle - I may be more of a football than rugby fan but the finest sporting 'series' I have ever witnessed over my 40+ years was the South Africa / Lions tour in 2009. I was just spellbound by the quality, brutality and camerarderie on show. Saturday was similar - England exceeded expectations and I think Lancaster and his team deserve a lot of credit for turning around the shambolic world cup team. No, it's not perfect yet, but look at that performance compared to anything they did at the WC. Wales were under par - Priestland in particular (I thought his yelllow was a little harsh to be honest but Wales didn't miss him at all) but still found enough to win.
Yes, the ref made some errors (as in every game) - the North push into touch probably the most noticeable one - but it was just errors on both sides. No bias or ineptitude, just honest mistakes. I was proud of England and all credit to Wales for battling their way to victory. They are a great side and they showed that by winning when they weren't at their best. Richard is right though...the sport of Rugby was the true winner.
Posted 14:04 27th February 2012
APV1 says...
@ Ramage - cheers!
@ JeanLucJoinel - your take on many of the players is just wrong.
@ jimbosim - the ref wasn't biased. The rest of your tripe isn't worth commenting on.
What a fantastic game! despite the result, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Congratulations to Wales for their win and let's not tarnish that with comments about the ref or "that try". Let's just be happy in our performances and a great game.
We need Danny Care back, which he will be after the 6N, as Dickson was knackered and Youngs is on terrible form. Dickson's fitness and Care's availability will shore up the 9 spot.
Similar for Morgan - you could see the game had taken its toll. Unfortunately Dowson was outclassed at that stage.
Haskell might come back soon, which will give us another back-row option. Armitage? Fourie? We need a 7, although I do think Croft and Robshaw are playing well.
Lawes did ok, considering he is just returning and I think he and Botha will be in the 2nd row with parling on the bench. Until Attwood's on the radar, it's certainly between the 3 of them and good for them.
When Sharple's injury is better, he should get a start ahead of either of the other two. Despite his lack of caps (which hasn't been a problem elsewhere), his form should get him picked. Likewise Brown over Foden. I never thought I'd want Foden benched, but his form is poor at the moment.
Stevens shouldn't be in the squad at the moment - as someone else said before, his 2 years in the wilderness has done it for him. It's got to be D-J or Marler, imo, but which..?
But I liked it. We were good. And Farrell is a 10 (I told you so!) and a good one at that.
Just need to sort out the 2nd row. And the back row. And the 8, 9, 10 combo. And the front row. Don't forget the centres (not the starters, their replacements - JT-H or J Joseph..?), and the back three. Simples. Oh. And the replacement. Job done!
Posted 10:54 27th February 2012
jontheref says...
I think the comment from the TMO (north of England sounding official), said it all.
inconclusive.
Though I have seen more doubtfulones than that given!
If we had not moved to using TMO's, I think it would have been given.
The touch judge was poorly positioned, along side the action, and not looking along the line to the action. But having a TMO can make you lazy. In his defence, maybe he just couldn't get there in time!
Sam Warburton admitted Wales were lucky, but you have to make your luck!
As to the claim to go back for the PK, Walsh didn't when Wales had a similar situation at the other end.
So consistent, even though I disagree in both cases. Wales would have been 10 points clear, so the non try is a moot point.
Asa to England being happier with this loss, than Wales with the win, just look at the oplayers after the game to see the correct answer!
Yes, Wales will beat themselves up about mistakes, but who ever said England were going to make it waesy?
Maybe the media, but not the players, coaches or true fans.
Posted 09:49 27th February 2012
jose_jones says...
England would NOT have won the game if Strettle's try had bee given,.... the wouldn't even have won if Flood managed the conversion from the frontline,.. so please lets not be silly,..."If" the try was actually a try,.... "If" the conversion from the touchline went over,... the best England could have got was a draw,..
Posted 08:16 27th February 2012
crunchfit says...
Looks to me like a try. This is a similar issue to the Laidlaw disallowed try, but even less contentious. I can see that the ball touched the grass while it was in Strettle's possession. As far as I can see, that is a try.
@JeanLucJoinel
I think his comments were quite reasonable. They are certainly not embarrassing. His team lost as a direct result of poor officiating. I'm guessing he is furious but you wouldn't be able to tell from those comments.
Posted 23:34 26th February 2012
Jediboy says...
Richardjones- good points well made.
Posted 19:37 26th February 2012
jamesliveinhope says...
Whilst I genuinely believe the call was wrong over Strettles try, I have said that the ref's decision is the one that matters and been happy when it works to England's advantage. The bottom line is that every score on a rugby field can be attributed to someone's mistake, why refs are expected to be perfect is beyond me.
I said before the game that, if Roberts could be controlled on the gain line, the Welsh backs wouldn't see much of the ball, and so it was - in fact I would go as far as to say that, once England got some possession, Wales just never looked like scoring.
I think that the substitutions made a negative difference but Dickson and Morgan looked out on their feet when they came off and Dickson especially had looked a spent force for a couple of minutes.
One observation with Dickson - it is a feature of Shaun Edwards' defensive patterns that they rely on a ref's inability to marshall the entire offside line (no-one is born with wide-angle eyes.) The tactic of making slow ball verey very slow ball was inspired. The ref had all the time in the world to make sure that the blitz was legal, which took away quite a lot of its advantage.
Well played both teams, not sure if the match needed a winner or a loser, but it did and I wish Wales continued good fortune in the competition (may well need it if Roberts can't get fit)
Posted 19:36 26th February 2012
scully45 says...
I have to say I felt sorry for England, they took the Welsh on physically and I thought came out on top. I've noticed the Welsh line speed in defence is much quicker than usual in the last two games. However I think they are on the very limit of offside. Something to look out for anyway.
On another note I was very impressed with Farrel, strong player who does the simple things very well. Tuilangi what can I say, some beast.
Posted 14:57 26th February 2012
jontheref says...
jaycee
Well said, what I observed is that the refs at this level allow the attcaking team to do things, like go to ground, come in from the side, put blockers the other side of the breakdown, that the defenders are not allowed to.
Wales got penalised manytimes for going to ground, that England did not.
I am sure an English fan can find inconsistebcies the other way.
I think Walsh is training for a job as a traffic cop, and most of the time he stands directing, instead of observing what is going on.
The English fans were great, very circumspect in defeat, as it was a great close game.
I predicted a close game, as England had won twice, and were at home.
France away may be a little hard, but France will have to back up from the Ireland game, so who knows.
Last game v Ireland will be tasty, a great day out.
especially the pizza girls on the train to Bracknell!
Posted 14:39 26th February 2012
Forward_pass says...
Chaulk up another fortunate win for Wales. Yes you make your own luck but 2 massive decisions have gone your way against Ireland and England, and gifted you the wins.
France are still the only quality team in the 6 nations, and by that I mean 1 that could run the SH teams close.
Posted 13:09 26th February 2012
jose_jones says...
@ Jediboy,... not once, did any of the Welsh team or their management staff say they that Wales were going to thrash England,... in fact it was the national media who were doing all the trash talking.
Are England happier with a loss than Wales are with the win?... I personally think so,.. for his Welsh team it appears it's not about how good they think they are,... but the standards they set themselves,..and there is a big, big difference between the two.
By those standards, Wales were poor yesterday,... England played out of their skins by theirs,... Wales still won. No,.. I don't think Wales are the best team in the championship,... but I firmly believe they are in the top 2.
Posted 12:16 26th February 2012
cheeky says...
The game of rugby was the winner! Lets hope for more of the same for the remaining Six Nations Games!
Posted 11:52 26th February 2012
blametheref says...
@Kent
So you don't think Wales were lucky against Ireland? You must be Stephen Jones from the The Times or a relation, as he only sees good things in rugby as red, like you seem to as well...Wales got the dodgiest, "luckiest" of penalties against Ireland in the last gasp of the game to "steal" the match with Ferris being adjudged to have made a tip tackle even though the tackled players leg never left the ground throughout...Ferris was totally exonerated by the citing commitee afterwards...Not only this, was it not pure luck that saw Bradley Davis not seeing red much earlier on a "neck breaking" deliberate and cynical tip tackle on Ryan where afterwards Davis was banned...If Davis had walked as he should have Wales would never have beaten Ireland, a try scoring team, with 14 players....Against England yesterday, Wales had more than their fair share of luck and if you can't see that you're biased...but like I said previously Wales deserve to be where they are as they are playing the most adventerous rugby in this 6 Nations so far
Posted 11:34 26th February 2012
jimbosim says...
We could go on and on here all week - Wales won?
As for the ref, no it was not a try?
Yes North hit the ball out?
That was never a yellow card for priestland?
It was a yellow card for pulling a player down in the lineout by robshaw?
In the last 10 mins England killed the ball and were penalised 5/6 times - should have been a yellow, but instead was ignored?
Lets face it the ref was def favouring England, so i guess nothing to complain about?
Yet again players gobbing off, which is not good?
Posted 11:20 26th February 2012
stumpy says...
I think what shows it was a great game was that there are no internet trolls commenting haha. But in seriousness, great game. Wales are a class team and as an Englishman, i just have to applaud that. Good step forward for England though, Lancaster has made more progress with them in 3 games then Johnson did in his first season!
Posted 10:45 26th February 2012
Chomski says...
For those who are complaining about the try that never was. Now you know how the Scots felt! If you can't see it you can't give it. Simple as.
Also, if you are going to highlight poor referee decisions you need to highlight all and not just those that worked against you. Robshaw was lucky not to get yellow carded for taking Warburton out in the lineout, and England being down to 14 men at that point in the game would have been in a very precarious place.
Posted 10:02 26th February 2012
j615 says...
A great game of Rugby, it was tense all the way through and as a Welsh fan I could not relax until the final whistle came. Both sides can take alot from this game. Wales won ugly having not played very well. To continue to beat teams away and beat the southern hemisphere nations they need to build on this and continue to develop their attacking playing. The centres are good but need to work on their creativity, well done to Scott Williams at the end but he's got to look at his chance before, he didn't even look up for support, against New Zealand or even France you may not get a second chance.
England on the otherhand, well played. Farrell looked like he was a born international 10 and comfortably outplayed Priestland. Tuilagi is an absolute wrecking ball. I thought the game swung on the 2 half-backs being changed. I thought Dickson did well. Its not a good time for Ben Youngs though he needs to find some form but can still be a very good player.
Posted 09:46 26th February 2012
makemehappy says...
Cant believe there are some who thought England scored at the end after seeing all the evidence. Incolnclusive was the decision and inconclusive it was. God he spent 3 or 4 minutes looking!
There were a few refereeing errors (the clearing out related decisions were shocking), however they weren't in favour of any particular team.
Well done Wales - deserved winners (especially considering they could have won by more).
Posted 08:44 26th February 2012
jaycee_111 says...
Chubbylugs
penalty advantage is over if you have an opportunity to score a try that is the way things are. Did you watch Scotland England the same thing happened to Scotland when they were denied a try.
The Davis knock on was an error however if you look closely the ref and AR were unsighted you cannot give what you cannot see. North palming the ball out is a penalty and was missed by the AR. He managed to work out North put it in touch therefore he should have realised it was a penalty and told the ref.
As for ref's mistakes ruining the game how many errors do you think each player made in the game. A lot I can assure you, humans make errors you want a perfect game play it in slow mo and penalise everything or watch and enjoy. I do get sick of people moaning at refs for errors and thinking they are machines. The refs i nthe 6 Nations are the best refs on the planet you don't like them you come up with a better plan. Play the ref it's part of the game the players don't moan do they?
Yes I am a ref.
Posted 08:30 26th February 2012