12 days of rugby: Scott Gibbs breaks English hearts

James While 04 Jan 2022 8:16 AM

With the festive season in full swing, it’s time to continue our 12 days of rugby. Next up it’s Wales v England back in 1999 and that dramatic Scott Gibbs try.

Lead-up to that special rugby moment

Clive Woodward spent the entire first two years of his tenure asking to be judged on the 1999 Rugby World Cup, and success that year in the last Five Nations tournament that preceded was absolutely vital for England’s chances. Runners-up in 1998, they faced the Wooden Spoon holders of the previous year, Wales. However, with Cardiff’s new Millennium Stadium’s construction works meaning that the fixture was switched, Wales found themselves hosting deep in the heartlands of their enemy, in North West London at Wembley Stadium. Huge numbers of fans made the trip from Wales, whilst Max Boyce and Tom Jones stirred up the pre-match atmosphere. Wembley, it seemed, had become South Wales.

Wales languished at the bottom of the table for the second successive year, despite managing a win on the road in their previous fixture versus France. England, however, had disposed of any side in their way, winning comfortably against France at home and Ireland away, and with a quasi-home fixture in London, nothing, it seemed, was going to get in their juggernaut way as they drove themselves towards a Grand Slam.

England dominated the first half. Full-back Matt Perry’s break from inside England’s half in the third minute created the space for him to send Dan Luger to the try-line from 30 yards out. Steve Hanley scored in what turned out to be his only international match before the peerless Richard Hill barged his way over after two Welsh defenders collided under a chip kick from Matt Dawson and spilled the ball.

However, England’s indiscipline gave Welsh kicker Neil Jenkins regular penalty opportunities at the other end, which he eagerly converted to points. Dissent from Neil Back gave away 10 metres that brought Jenkins within range of the posts. Jason Leonard and Tim Rodber both had spells in the sin-bin and England continued to offer Wales point opportunities.

A perfect six out of six from Jenkins ensured Wales were still in the game at half time, 25-18 down but within touching distance, but the way England had played suggested the flood of points was only a moment away.

Why it will live long in the memory

Wales drew level again soon after the break with a Shane Howarth try wide on the right which Jenkins predictably converted. A brace of Jonny Wilkinson penalties gave England a six-point lead as the game moved into injury time, and it seemed a Grand Slam was theirs.

However, with only a touch clearance needed for victory, Rodber, who had been immense all afternoon playing at lock, made a clumsy tackle deep in the Welsh half and conceded a penalty.

From the ensuing lineout, Rob Howley flung a pass to Scott Quinnell who pop passed to Gibbs, bullocking onto the ball like a furious bull-dozer. In an instant that broke English hearts and dreams, Gibbs bust through the flailing arms of Rodber, on past three more English would-be tacklers and touched down a few yards to the right of the posts.

It was done; Wales had beaten their older and deepest of enemies. Post-match, Lawrence Dallaglio noted that “our ill-discipline in the first half kept them in the game,” with coach Woodward adding the immortal line: “I still won’t believe we lost this game when I wake up in the morning.”

We will leave the final word to the great Gibbs, who that very next morning rang the England skipper. He had struck up a strong friendship with Dallaglio while with the Lions in South Africa and the pair had great mutual admiration and camaraderie.

“Alright, Lol? Scotty here. Just wanted to apologise for the try yesterday.”

And that is exactly how rugby should be, with friendships always more important than mere results.