England kept the pressure on Six Nations leaders France by claiming a 33-30 win against Wales at Twickenham on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The win saw England climb level with France on 13 points on the table. France face Scotland tomorrow in Edinburgh and England will be hoping that Gregor Townsend’s side can do them a favour.
While Wales had the better of possession in the game, they really struggled to make it count as every attack launched was well contained by the physical English defence.
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The key between the two sides was that England managed to make six line-breaks to Wales’ one, which came at the start of the second half for their only try of the match. This was really down to the option-taking from England’s key decision-makers as Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell and George Ford all enjoyed standout matches behind their pack.
Wales were able to grab a late bonus-point as Dan Biggar and Justin Tipuric went over for late tries after England had been reduced to 13 men.
England will not have Manu Tuilagi available for their next Six Nations clash after the centre was red carded for a head-high shoulder charge on George North late in the match, minutes after Ellis Genge was yellow carded for repeated infringements.
England – Tries: Anthony Watson, Elliot Daly, Manu Tuilagi. Conversions: Owen Farrell (2), George Ford. Penalties: Farrell (3), George Ford.
Wales – Tries: Justin Tipuric (2), Dan Biggar. Conversions: Biggar (3). Penalties: Leigh Halfpenny (2), Biggar.
England – 15 Elliot Daly, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Manu Tuilagi, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Johnny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 8 Tom Curry, 7 Mark Wilson, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 George Kruis, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler.
Subs: 16 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Joe Launchbury, 20 Charlie Ewels, 21 Ben Earl, 22 Willi Heinz, 23 Henry Slade.
Wales – 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 George North, 13 Nick Tompkins, 12 Hadleigh Parkes, 11 Liam Williams, 10 Dan Biggar, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Josh Navidi, 7 Justin Tipuric, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Alun Wyn Jones (c), 4 Jake Ball, 3 Dillon Lewis, 2 Ken Owens, 1 Rob Evans.
Subs: 16 Ryan Elias, 17 Rhys Carre, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Aaron Shingler, 20 Taulupe Faletau, 21 Rhys Webb, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Johnny McNicholl.
Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images
