Paul Rees's match report
FULL TIME: England 12-6 Wales
Hepburn wrenches the ball from a Welsh hand, and England hang on for a hard-fought victory! And deservedly so: in an undistinguished game, they were the better side. Though Wales will legitimately wonder what might have happened had Gareth Anscombe’s first-half try been awarded by the video ref, as it surely should have been. But Jonny May’s two tries settle it, both set up by the wily kicking of Owen Farrell. England’s grand-slam dream is still alive! Meanwhile the Welsh wait for a victory over the old enemy in the Six Nations goes on: five years and counting.
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80 min: A high hit by Te’o gives Wales a penalty. They can pump the ball upfield. They’ll have one last chance to launch an attack for the try they so desperately need.
79 min: Wales make it to 18 phases. But they’re still in their own 22. This is a test of fitness and nerve!
78 min: Wales move through the phases. But they’re deep in their own territory.
77 min: Twickers is suddenly a little anxious; Wales just need a converted try to steal the win. England make a change, swapping Vunipola for Hepburn.
PENALTY. England 12-6 Wales (Anscombe 77)
But play’s pulled back for a penalty, and Wales opt to knock it over, making this a one-score game.
75 min: It’s the last-chance saloon for Wales. Tipuric rips the ball from England. North blasts up the right. Wales shift the ball to the other flank. Parkes kicks through for Steffan Evans, who tries to sidefoot the bouncing ball over the tryline, but can only knock it out of touch.
74 min: Bradley Davies comes on for Hill. England win their line-out and set up camp again in the Welsh 22. They’re quite happy to flick it around in the time-eating style.
73 min: Farrell’s kicking has been exceptional all evening. He sends a high one down the right, forcing Anscombe to gather just outside his 22. England bundle him into touch. Anscombe betrays his frustration by complaining quite a lot to the touch judge. About what, it’s not clear.
72 min: But England are soon coming back at Wales, albeit in the midfield now. No matter: the clock is their friend. Wales need to score soon if they’re to have any chance of nicking this game. They don’t look like doing so.
71 min: England inch forward as they move through the phases. They’re up to 20, 21, 22. Then Wales win it back, Francis leading a counter ruck. Wales soaked up a lot of pressure there.
70 min: England string together a few phases in Welsh territory. Eight, nine, ten. Nowell turns on the jets down the right, but can’t quite break through. Thirteen, 14, 15.
69 min: Ford is replaced by Te’o while Launchbury is swapped for Kruis.
67 min: More scrum faff. England will be quite happy to see the clock tick on, while nothing much happens.
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66 min: Aled Davies comes on for Gareth Davies.
65 min: Dee and Tipuric come on for Owens and Moriarty. England swap Care and Cole for Williams and Wigglesworth.
63 min: Wales are putting sustained pressure on England for the first time in the game. They spend a little time in England’s 22 ... but then knock on, Farrell forcing a mistake from Shingler. Better from the visitors, though.
62 min: Wales break with purpose down the left. North flicks left to Scott Williams, who slides towards the corner. He’s surely in, but Underhill comes across at the death to bundle his man into touch with inches to spare! What a saving tackle that was!
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61 min: It’s all a bit scrappy right now. It’s England’s turn to make a daft error, going to sleep when the ball pops out backwards in the breakdown, allowing Wales to snaffle possession.
60 min: Wales suddenly turn up the heat, Anscombe burning down the middle and nearly setting up camp for his side just inside the 22. But Farrell turns the ball over to nix the visitors’ momentum.
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58 min: Lee and Rob Evans are replaced by Wyn Jones and Francis.
57 min: Patchell is replaced by North. Anscombe will play as 10 now; Adams at 15.
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56 min: Anscombe chips cutely down the right and nearly opens England up. Moriarty knocks forward, but Wales are threatening to launch a few attacks of their own now.
54 min: England break into the Welsh 22 down the right, the result of a loose Patchell pass in the midfield. Wales are let off the hook when Nowell goes off his feet. In the stand, Eddie Jones mouths a few more EFFs. He’s got a proper face on, England having failed to build on their lead since the restart. Wales, having dug in well, are still in this.
53 min: Hartley is replaced by George. Farrell is England’s captain now.
51 min: Now England put together a few phases in Welsh territory. Nowell very nearly bursts through the middle, on the Wales 22, but falls to his knees and spills the ball forward.
49 min: Shingler breaks all of a sudden down the left wing, and glides infield. A 50-yard run at pace. He’s suddenly one on one with Care, going so fast that none of his team-mates can keep up with him. He tries to kick the ball past Care, with a view to circumventing him and busting for the tryline. But Care reads it well and snaffles.
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47 min: A shot of Eddie Jones in the stand, annoyed as his side concede a penalty in the midfield for not rolling away. He mouths a textbook “EFF!” as he batters his hand on the back of the seat in front of him. A study of frustration.
46 min: Line-out for England, just outside the Welsh 22 on the right. They win it, but the ball’s intercepted by Patchell and Wales can move upfield, the early pressure they’ve been feeling in this half released.
45 min: Watson took a big whack there, and he’s forced to limp off. Nowell comes on in his stead.
43 min: After ten phases, the ball’s fed out to Watson on the right again. He nips inside and threatens to sashay his way through a few challenges and over the tryline. But Shingler eventually puts a stop to his gallop.
And we’re underway again! Underhill has come on for Simmonds. England get the second half moving. They’re soon camped in Welsh territory. Watson has a look down the right but can’t quite wriggle free. England on the front foot early doors, though.
Half-time reading: From the earlier game ...
HALF TIME: England 12-3 Wales
And that’s that for the first half. Jonny May’s two tries, both set up by clever kicking from Owen Farrell, are the main difference here. But Wales will think they should have had a try through Gareth Anscombe. The video ref thought differently. Intriguingly poised, though Wales will surely need to score next if this is to be a contest in the second half.
39 min: England hoick upfield. Wales run through a few phases near the halfway line. But they don’t really go anywhere and knock it back upfield themselves. Ford gathers and calls for the mark. A slow, careful stroke back up the park, and England will be more than happy with their nine-point advantage at the break.
37 min: More of it.
36 min: A lot of scrum faffing.
35 min: Wales win their line-out and drive for the tryline. Heave! Adams tries to break through under the posts. England hold firm. Parkes has a look down the right, but there’s not a chink of light for him to zip through. And finally Lee drops and knocks the ball forward. What defence by England!
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34 min: Wales don’t go for the posts. Instead they send the penalty into touch for territory down the right. They’ll send the ball into a line-out, ten yards from the England tryline.
33 min: Anscombe goes on a bit of a jig down the left. Then Gareth Davies tries to power his way through the middle. Wales make a bit of ground, and the English get handsy on the floor. Penalty. But before the kick can be taken, Farrell and Shingler get involved with each other on the floor, and soon enough everyone on both teams are brawling in the old-school style. Lovely. The crowd are very much enjoying this. A few harsh words in a few swollen ears - “You must calm down ... another scuffle and there will be two players on the bench” - and we’ll continue in a minute. A scuffle!
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30 min: Some midfield back and forth. Wales are slowly working their way into this game, after shipping those early tries. But they’re not spending much time in the England 22. Just 5% of the game has been played out down that end of the pitch.
28 min: Wales win some turnover ball, Scott Williams looking to break down the right. But England strip it back! They hoof upfield. Patchell drops a shoulder to evade Joseph, a sign that his confidence may be growing a little after a shaky start.
26 min: England, having perhaps got away with one there, go up the other end and park themselves in the Welsh 22 again. A few phases. But Wales dig in and eventually push England back into the midfield.
PENALTY. England 12-3 Wales (Patchell 24)
Patchell clips over the sticks to get Wales on the board.
23 min: Wales win their line-out and set themselves up inside the England 22. The England fans are Swinging Low. A wonderful atmosphere. They have penalty advantage. Patchell kicks towards the left corner. Steffan Evans knees the ball down the flank and over the try line. He’ll not get to the ball first to score. But it looks like Anscombe, chasing, gets his hand to it, ahead of Watson. The video ref reckons otherwise! Hmm. Wales will kick for the penalty instead, in front of the sticks.
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22 min: England go off feet, tight on the left touchline. Wales have a penalty, but they’re already a way behind, so kick for the corner and will go for the try.
TRY! England 12-0 Wales (May 20)
England have a penalty in their pocket, but they’re looking for the try. They shift it left, then right, then back again. Then a gorgeous chip to the left by Farrell. Launchbury claims, and takes two men with him as he drives towards the corner. Then he offloads, giving May, on the inside, his second try of the afternoon! Farrell’s conversion, tight on the touchline, is never missing.
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18 min: England line-out down the right. The ball’s flung with flair into the centre of the field, where England set up inside the 22. Ford threatens to sashay straight through the middle but is stopped ten yards out by Hill. England will continue to push; they’re up to a dozen phases.
15 min: Half of the England team are already covered in purple dye. On-pitch sponsors NatWest are certainly getting their money’s worth. I hope they’re picking up the RFU’s laundry tab, it’s the least they can do.
13 min: Scott Williams, who has team-mates nearby, goes it alone and tries to barge his way through Farrell down the left wing. Farrell stands firm and the ball’s knocked forward.
11 min: England are kicking the ball hither and yon, Ford and Farrell taking turn to chip it through and get Wales on the back foot. England are dominating possession, and most of the game so far has been played out in Welsh territory.
9 min: Another clever Farrell kick, this time a nick down the right, forces Wales to clear the ball into touch on the full. England line-out in good field position, near the Wales 22. But the line-out’s won by Wales, and the visitors clear their lines.
7 min: Patchell gives the kick some proper welly, but it drifts off to the left. It’s been an eventful start for him. He could have done with it being a bit quieter.
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6 min: Patchell plays a loose pass under severe pressure from Ford. England briefly threaten to break in numbers down the left wing, but turns out they were offside. A penalty for Wales. Patchell will have a go from just inside the halfway line, against the breeze.
4 min: Farrell can’t send the conversion between the sticks, the ball sailing off to the right. Ah well, he’s still in credit after setting up that fine try.
TRY! England 5-0 Wales (May 3)
Joseph gets to a high kick before Patchell, knocking it back down the right flank. Farrell sends an immediate diagonal kick towards the left, into acres. May races into it, gathers the ball, and tears 40 yards to the line! What a start for England ... and that’s a very clever kick by Farrell. So much for the fast Welsh start.
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2 min: The ball’s shuttled out to the left wing. Anscombe sends a grubber kick down the flank. Too hard, and Ford gathers. But that’s a lively start by the Welsh, who are playing into the breeze in this first half.
Wales get the party started, Patchell making to kick down the right but switching the other way. England spill, Navidi forcing Watson into the mistake. Hartley goes into a tackle without using his arms, and Wales will put into a scrum just outside the England 22.
Hymns and arias. The teams are out, England in white with red rose, Wales in red with white fleur-de-lis. First an emotional blast of Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau; then it’s God Save the Queen. Prince Harry giving it plenty in the cheap seats. The atmosphere at Twickenham is blistering; everyone’s been on the ale, to be fair. It’s rainy and dark: perfect Six Nations weather. We’ll be off in a minute!
Eddie Jones speaks to ITV ... “We’ve just changed the order. JJ looked sharp. Ben Te’o played superbly for us last week, but the second game back from a long injury is always the most difficult, so we feel this is the right order this week. We’ve continued to work on our set piece and defence. Wales are a good side so we expect pressure from all areas.”
... as does Warren Gatland. “Leigh Halfpenny unfortunately picked up a foot infection, he wasn’t right to take the field. Gareth Anscombe has played a lot of rugby there so we are confident he’ll do a job. Rhys Patchell will do our kicking. We’ve got real depth.”
There’s already been one big England-Wales clash today. That occurred at the Stoop, where England’s women thrashed the Welsh 52-0 in the Women’s Six Nations, teenage sensation Ellie Kildunne scoring the game’s standout try.
Meanwhile Eddie Jones has been on BBC Radio defending his observations about Rhys Patchell: “Those comments are done and dusted. It would be easier for me to come on the BBC and say nothing. You ask me my opinion and I give my opinion. I don’t cross the line, I describe the game as I am asked and how I see it. I can’t take anything back now.”
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One change to the line-ups, and it’s bad news for Wales. Leigh Halfpenny isn’t fit to start at full back, so in comes Gareth Anscombe to take his place.
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Preamble
Welcome to the big one, as England take on Rhys Patchell at Twickenham. That’s how Eddie Jones has styled it, right?
Hey, attempts to rattle inexperienced international fly-halves are neither here nor there. Meetings between these two old enemies require no ratcheting up. England are the current Six Nations champions and tournament favourites; Wales have just eviscerated a supposedly resurgent Scotland. England haven’t lost at Twickenham since Australia beat them at the last World Cup; Wales haven’t won there since beating England at the last World Cup. A beautiful symmetry seeing it’s possible that this one could decide this year’s championship. It’s on!
Boot first meets ball at: 4.45pm.
England: M Brown (Harlequins); A Watson (Bath), J Joseph (Bath), O Farrell (Saracens), J May (Leicester), G Ford (Leicester), D Care (Harlequins); M Vunipola (Saracens), D Hartley (Northampton, capt), D Cole (Leicester), J Launchbury (Wasps), M Itoje (Saracens), C Lawes (Northampton), C Robshaw (Harlequins), S Simmonds (Exeter).
Replacements: J George (Saracens), A Hepburn (Exeter), H Williams (Exeter), G Kruis (Saracens), S Underhill (Bath), R Wigglesworth (Saracens), B Te’o (Worcester), J Nowell (Exeter).
Wales: L Halfpenny (Scarlets); J Adams (Worcester), S Williams (Scarlets), H Parkes (Scarlets), S Evans (Scarlets); R Patchell (Scarlets), G Davies (Scarlets); R Evans (Scarlets), K Owens (Scarlets), S Lee (Scarlets), C Hill (Dragons), A W Jones (Ospreys, capt), A Shingler (Scarlets), J Navidi (Cardiff Blues), R Moriarty (Gloucester).
Replacements: E Dee (Dragons), W Jones (Scarlets), T Francis (Exeter), B Davies (Ospreys), J Tipuric (Ospreys), A Davies (Scarlets), G Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), G North (Northampton).
Referee: Jerome Garces (France).
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland) and Nic Berry (Australia).
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