England v Wales highlights: Six Nations score and reaction as hosts cling on for dramatic win at Twickenham
England 16-14 Wales: England produce second-half comeback to dramatically edge past old rivals Wales at Twickenham
England’s ambition of making a fresh start on their return to Twickenham failed to produce the hoped-for fireworks but they at least had the resilience to dig out a 16-14 victory over Wales.
For the first time in Six Nations history, Warren Gatland’s team led at the interval in their great rival’s stronghold after storming 14-5 ahead through a penalty try and Alex Mann touch down.
But the favourites hit back when Fraser Dingwall went over in the left corner before George Ford stepped up to land the decisive penalty in the 72nd minute, rewarding a more polished second half.
Relive all the action from Twickenham in the blog below:
England 5-7 Wales
28 mins: England almost get caught out wide as their defence blitzes up after Wales claim a loose ball form a kick-chase but they cover and Wales kick ahead.
Wales win a lineout in England’s half and power into the 22 though...
England 5-7 Wales
26 mins: A win for England’s scrum in their own 22 as they earn a free-kick on Wales’s put-in and can boot clear. Aaron Wainwright looks annoyed.
England seeing out the remainder of this second sin-bin successfully so far.
England 5-7 Wales
24 mins: England solid again at the scrum and relieve the pressure with a big boot clear although a decent kick return by Winnett, he shifts the ball to dyer and the winger finds touch in the England 22.
England 5-7 Wales
23 mins: Big hits from the England defence as they shoot out of the line! Ford levels Tompkins and another two Egnalnd defenders swarm him to keep him upright. The centre tries to offload as he’s driven backwards but the ball goes forward to Dyer.
England’s scrum in their own 22.
England 5-7 Wales
22 mins: Wow! What a few minutes of action we just had. All that drama and Wales lead by two.
They win a penalty near halfway and kick into the 22. Ollie Chessum’s sin-bin is over so England back up to 14 men at least.
TRY! England 5-7 Wales (Ben Earl 20’)
That is incredible power by Ben Earl! England on the scoreboard.
The scrum is set, England pop the ball to a crashing Earl on the right and the No 8 powers through Alex Mann, Ioan Lloyd and Cameron Winnett, reaches out and touches down! Superb score
But drama on the conversion! Ford does a shuffle as he lines it up, Wales think he’s started his run-up, so charge and knock the ball from the tee. Referee deems it’s legal so no conversion!
England 0-7 Wales
18 mins: What on earth are Wales doing?! With the lead and facing 13 men, they try to run the kick-off back from deep. They are pushed back a few metres, then Ioan Lloyd inexplicably tries to run again and is crunched by Maro Itoje under his own posts.
ENGLAND TURNOVER! The ball is trapped in the ruck, so it’s a five-metre scrum in front of the posts!
TRY! England 0-7 Wales (penalty try 17’)
The crowd get behind England as they defend this lineout but there’s nothing they, or England, can do.
A clean lineout to the back, the maul trundles towards the line and it’s illegally brought down by England! Penalty try and a yellow card to Ethan Roots.
Disaster for England who are now down to 13 men for the next few minutes and 7-0 down...
England 0-0 Wales
16 mins: The penalty count firmly in Wales’s favour so far and they win another at the scrum. They kick to the corner, looking to make the most of their man advantage...
England 0-0 Wales
14 mins: An England lineout in their own territory goes awry and Wales win the scrum.
Perhaps the quickest bunker review in history and it will just stay a yellow card on Chesusm. The referee announces the decision over the microphone to the Twickenham crowd - a nice idea change in recent times to keep the spectators at the stadium informed.
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