Six Nations 2024: England 16-14 Wales – Highlights
| England: (5) 16 |
| Try: Earl, Dingwall Pen: Ford 2 |
| Wales: (14) 14 |
| Try: Punishment, man Disadvantage: Lloyd |
England overcame another half-time deficit in the Six Nations tournament and prevailed against the young and spirited Welsh team at Twickenham.
As in Rome a week ago, England were trailing at half-time as Wales scored a penalty try and an Alex Mann goal to threaten their first win at Twickenham since 2015.
Fraser Dingwall scored in the corner to bring England within a point before George Ford's penalty secured victory.
Ford made up for his failure to convert Ben Earl's try in the first half.
The England full-back was denied the chance to equalize as he was found to have begun his attempt to convert, although he did not move towards the ball as Wales rushed towards him to thwart him.
The win moves England to the top of the Six Nations table after maintaining their winning start to the tournament, while Wales picked up a lost bonus point and remain fifth despite two opening defeats.
England's resilience prevails as the attack falters
Six Nations 2024: Ben Earl pushes through Wales defense to score try for England
England were back at their home ground at Twickenham and looking to put on a show for the first time since their World Cup warm-up defeat to Fiji last summer.
Jamie George had promised more attacking power in his first home game as captain and his side kept their word and started brightly in the early stages.
Freddie Steward broke the line with a fast run in the first minute and Ford's shot went wide as Rio Dyer slotted the ball home.
But although their ambition was clear, the final pass seemed to elude them.
In contrast, Wales had limited possession but scored on their first visit to the England 22 when they were awarded a penalty try for repeated English infringements, resulting in Ethan Roots being sent to the scapegoat.
Ben Earl took over from the base of the scrum before controversy arose over Ford's attempted conversion. The England number 10 was no longer in his usual position, which resulted in Wales having his back and coming out on top.
Tommy Reffell was a bright spot for the visitors and his incisive line opened up an England defense still trying to get used to their new blitz defense as Mann scored his second try for a first half-time lead at Twickenham since 1980.
England were in a much better position after the break, but continued to have problems with their attacking strength. The breakthrough came after an attack from the otherwise confident Josh Adams deep in Welsh territory.
The hosts and their partisan crowd could smell blood and after the strikers smashed into the red wall, the ball was passed wide of goal, allowing Dingwall to score their first test try in the corner.
Ford's late penalty completed the comeback and England prevailed despite another stuttering attacking performance.
Borthwick 'proud' as England 'find a way to win'
Wales are showing progress but the wait for Twickenham victory continues
Head coach Warren Gatland tried to ease the Twickenham fear factor for Wales ahead of the short trip east by saying he was “delighted” in visiting the home of English rugby.
Wales had not won their last seven away games against their fiercest rivals, so his words were perhaps intended to ease the pressure on their young team, led by 21-year-old captain Dafydd Jenkins.
It seemed to work early on as Wales stood firm against the predicted English attack and defended more resolutely than in their first-half capitulation against Scotland last week.
There was very little that could be done to keep the rampaging Earl away from close range, but they largely kept England at bay for the first 40 minutes.
It was a similar story after the break as Wales, in their fourth international match, had little to offer in an attack controlled by inexperienced fly-half Ioan Lloyd, while in defense they managed to contain the dull English attack.
However, when Steve Borthwick's men decided to go back to type and go into the air while the game was still getting out of hand, Adams' attack under the spiral ball proved fatal.
It gave Twickenham and his team a new lease of life.
With Wales a point ahead but under siege, Mason Grady's deliberate attack, which prevented an England run-in, gave Ford the chance to take the penalty in front of the post and the experienced fly-half duly punished the visitors.
“Elevated heart rate in the stands” – Borthwick
England head coach Steve Borthwick told ` Sport: “I am proud of the way the players stayed in the fight and found a way to win. It’s a young team with a mix of experience.”
“We showed a lot of good things in the first half, but the penalty was 6-0 against us and there were two sin balls – we made it very difficult.”
Then Wales scored a very good try, but at half-time I felt calm and composed and the belief that we would find a way in the second half was so significant. There were a few people who had their heart rates up in the stands, I know I did!”
“We will be a good team” – Gatland
Wales head coach Warren Gatland speaks to ITV: “To be fair to England, they went into the second half with a strong strategy and a good game and were rewarded for it. We probably didn’t do it as well as we could have.”
“We will be a good team, it will just take us a bit of time. Some players learn about game management and they learn it from experience.”
“We did some good things and things we will fix in the future. It’s disappointing, but it’s a young team that will continue to improve.”
“I thought we showed great character and it was a game we could win and I’m proud of the performance.”
Lineups
England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (Capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.
Substitute: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F. Smith, Feyi-Waboso
Penalty box: Chessum (10), roots (16)
Wales: Winnett; Dyer, North, Tompkins, Adams; Lloyd, Williams; G Thomas, Dee, Assiratti, Jenkins (Capt), Beard, Mann, Reffell, Wainwright.
Substitute: Elias, Domachowski, Griffin, Rowlands, Basham, Hardy, Evans, Grady.
Penalty box: Grady (70)
Match officials
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Ben O'Keeffe (New Zealand) and Hollie Davidson (Scotland)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
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