Wales pushed England all the way before seeing their brave fightback fall short 23-19 at Twickenham in the first Rugby World Cup warm-up game of the campaign.
England looked to have the game in the bag when leading 20-7 but the young Wales side showed plenty of guts and determination as they fought their way back into the game. Despite the defeat Wales head coach Warren Gatland should be confident the men in red can turn the tables when the two sides clash next Saturday at the Millennium Stadium.
Players took a battering in a physical contest where Wales lost Morgan Stoddart who was stretchered off while England captain Lewis Moody limped out of the encounter with a serious looking leg injury.
Wales were forced into a late re-shuffle just before the game kicked off after centurion Stephen Jones picked up a calf injury in the warm-up. His Scarlets colleague Rhys Priestland switched to fly half, while Morgan Stoddart moved from the bench to the No 15 shirt with Blues scrum half Lloyd Williams going on to the bench.
It proved an emotional return to the home of English rugby for Ospreys lock Alun-Wyn Jones who had tears streaming down his cheek on his 50th appearance for Wales during the national anthems.
On a perfect pitch for running rugby, both teams began looking to stamp their authority on proceedings. England ran the ball with purpose from the outset but Wales stood firm in defence before getting the ball in hand themselves to show their attacking prowess.
Jonny Wilkinson opened the scoring the in sixth minute with a long range penalty but Wales didn’t panic and scored the first try of the match with a classic touchdown.
Patience is a virtue and so it proved in the 17th minute. After 14 phases Stoddart put fellow Scarlet George North over in the corner. Priestland showed no nerves with his first kick at goal from the touchline with a superb conversion to put Warren Gatland’s men 3-7 ahead.
England showed their attacking intent when Delon Armitage beat players at will before Stoddart pulled him down 5m short. England, dressed in their new black kit, camped close to the Welsh try-line. A dominant scrum saw James Haskell burst from the base to pounce. Wilkinson added the extras to put England back in front at 10-7.
Both defences were water tight with Wilkinson taking one huge hit from Jonathan Davies but he dusted himself down and slotted a snap drop goal three minutes from halftime.
With the momentum swinging towards England at the break it was imperative Wales started brightly in the second half. But debutant Manu Tuilagi cut back against the grain to score under the posts for England. With Wilkinson having no trouble with the conversion, the score had shot out to 20-7 for the hosts.
Stoddart, who was impressing at full back, was carried from the field in the 47th minute to see his World Cup dreams in tatters. It meant further disruption to the backline with Scott Williams entering the fray for just his second cap.
Shane Williams added to his record haul for Wales when he danced his way over in the 57th minute after both Mike Phillips and Brad Davies. Williams’ 54th try for Wales brought the score to 20-12.
Wilkinson nudged England further away from Wales with a right footed drop goal while captain Lewis Moody was lying prone on the floor. In his comeback game he limped off in the 61st minute with Tom Wood replacing him.
Warburton thought he had reduced the arrears when diving over in the corner but he was adjudged to have put his arm in touch first.
Wales refused to buckle with Warburton to the fore again in the 75th minute. The Wales captain burst clear before being dragged down inches clear from the England try-line. Wales quickly recycled the ball and worked the ball right to put North over for his second try of the game.
Scorers:
England: Tries: Haskell, Tuilagi; Cons: Wilkinson (2); Pens: Wilkinson 1; Dgl: Wilkinson (2)
Wales: Tries: North (2), Williams; Cons: Priestland (2)
