Greatest games: Wales thrash England to win Six Nations

We take a look at the best ever games from years gone by and today head back to 2013 where Wales ended England’s Grand Slam dream with an incredible final day triumph.

Lead-up to the fixture

Stuart Lancaster’s England were going for the Grand Slam having secured deserved wins over Scotland, Ireland, France and Italy. Standing in their way was Wales, who endured a disappointing opening to the campaign after going down to Ireland but responded well to that setback.

A 16-6 victory in France got Warren Gatland’s men back on track before they battled past both Italy and Scotland. In comparison to the all-conquering 2012 outfit which went through the tournament unbeaten, they were not exactly convincing performances with the Welsh wins owing more to mental fortitude, a competitive pack and the accurate kicking of Leigh Halfpenny than any sort of creative brilliance.

The Red Rose were duly favourites for the title and had an eight-point buffer heading to Cardiff, with the hosts needing a large victory to finish above their arch-rivals in the championship table.

Few saw that happening given the Welshmen’s struggles and the fact that the visitors had overcome all their challengers so far without too much difficulty. Even the team’s closest win – a 12-6 borefest in Dublin – was an accomplished display as they nullified the passion and threat of the Irish.

There were signs against Italy, however, that performance was starting to decline. They faltered versus the supposed minnows of the competition, edging to an 18-11 triumph and seeing their lack of balance in certain positions being exposed.

Their back-row lacked an out-and-out number eight, with flanker Tom Wood deputising at the base of the scrum, while regular full-back Mike Brown was utilised on the wing. Those selection controversies would come back to bite at the Millennium Stadium.

Memorable players involved

Against what was a powerful England pack, Wales dominated and the tone was very much set by their excellent front-row. To the fore was outstanding scrummager Adam Jones, who put the pressure on the inexperienced Mako Vunipola, and destructive defender Richard Hibbard.

Hibbard’s efforts without the ball were vital and his massive hit on Red Rose loosehead Joe Marler will remain etched in the mind for years. The hooker’s supposed lineout issues were not in evidence either as locks Alun Wyn Jones and the underrated Ian Evans controlled the set-piece battle well.

However, the real magic happened in the back-row. They exposed the visitors’ lack of balance in that key trio as captain Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau showed their quality.

There were queries as to whether the combination of two natural opensides would work, but they ended up complementing each other perfectly. Warburton’s defensive excellence alongside Tipuric’s explosiveness in the loose caused no end of problems for the away side, giving Faletau the freedom to roam and impose his all-round style on the Englishmen.

England skipper Chris Robshaw was the only player to stand up to onslaught, but he was ultimately powerless to stop a hugely physical team from snatching the trophy from their grasp.

Behind the scrum, there was also plenty of size and wing Alex Cuthbert made the biggest impact, touching down twice in the second half as Gatland’s men sealed a dominant victory.

Why it will live long in the memory

Wales always produce their best against England, especially at home, but this performance was particularly special.

Gatland’s side may have been reigning champions but they had yet to truly show why on the pitch. However, they saved their best till last. It was one of their greatest days in the modern era, completely dominating their bitterest rivals and claiming the title when England seemed destined to take home the trophy.

Lancaster’s charges had destiny in their own hands and were favourites to at least win the 2013 Six Nations, with the hosts needing to emerge victorious by more than eight points, but they simply could not handle the physicality and intensity of the Welsh.

Wales were simply a level above their opponents and bullied the Englishmen throughout. There was also plenty of skill on offer and that was demonstrated by the two tries for Cuthbert.

The first came from a turnover when Jonathan Davies provided the wing with enough space to scorch clear of Mike Brown to touch down before a piece of Tipuric brilliance completed a remarkable win.

After receiving the ball out wide, the flanker scampered down the right, broke Brad Barritt’s attempted tackle and sent Cuthbert across the whitewash for a wonderfully worked score.

It was a moment to savour for the Welsh supporters, who had seen their team dispatch their biggest rivals and retain the title they had won in 2012. There have been few better performances from Wales before or since that day in March 2013 as their success continued under New Zealander Gatland.