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Up to date:
Feb 27, 2023
Wales 10 v 20 England
England heaped extra distress on Wales with a scrappy win in Cardiff, maintaining their slim title hopes alive. Much like their victory towards Italy, it was not often fairly however in the end efficient, with England’s defence excellent all through. England’s successful margin doesn’t inform the total story of their superiority in a tense and cagey affair; Owen Farrell’s profligacy from the tee and Louis Rees-Zammit’s gift-wrapped attempt narrowing the margin. Pragmatism was the order of the day, however England introduced a larger accuracy to all the things they did, successful the kicking duel with Freddie Steward offering an aerial masterclass.
For Wales, it was the same story to their earlier two defeats, displaying loads of spirit however missing any actual high quality. Hindered by their troubled build-up, which concerned strike threats and protracted negotiations, Wales understandably opted for a sport plan constructed on simplicity. There have been some enhancements with their self-discipline considerably higher, however as soon as once more, their assault appeared blunt and unimaginative. Sadly, there isn’t a discernible construction on or off the pitch in the meanwhile, and Wales repeated tactic of kicking to Freddie Steward starved them of any momentum. Even Cardiff’s well-known environment felt slightly deflated, with little to excite or energise them.
The match bought off to a frantic begin, with Toby Faletau charging down Farrell’s tried clearance kick, the ever-dependable Steward mopping issues up. It was a breathless opening 5 minutes, with England searching for to play at tempo and tempo, matched by the depth of Wales’s defence. Farrell bought England on the board with a long-range penalty because the guests began to achieve the higher hand. Either side have been decided to do away with any sluggish ball, however England shaded the early kicking battle, due to Steward and the accuracy of Jack Van Poortvliet’s boot. England’s again row have been all making their presence felt, Lewis Ludlam felling carriers, Alex Dombrandt showcasing his deft palms, and Jack Willis attaining a turnover.
England quickly had the sport’s first attempt with a slick transfer off the again of a scrum. Farrell fed Max Malins with a stunning inside ball, who scorched via the outlet, passing to Ollie Lawrence, who was purchased down underneath the shadow of the posts. England shipped the ball vast shortly, with Dombrandt passing to Anthony Watson, who completed within the nook. Farrell missed the conversion, and a few sloppy play from the restart allowed Leigh Halfpenny to place Wales on the board. Farrell then missed a comparatively easy penalty, and Wales began to develop in confidence in direction of the top of the half, with Rees-Zammit threatening each time he touched the ball. Twice Wales entered England’s 22 and failed to come back away with something, the story of their championship. England have been indebted to Lawrence and Ludlam for some nice work on the breakdown, permitting them to enter halftime with an 8-3 lead.
England would have gone into halftime considering they need to have had a extra snug buffer, however their lead was eradicated inside a minute of the restart. Attempting to launch an assault on the midway line, Malins failed to note Rees-Zammit within the passing lane; the Welsh wing gracefully accepted the present and scorched free, Halfpenny’s conversion taking Wales into the lead. Nevertheless, their lead didn’t final lengthy, and England shortly hit again with a attempt of their very own, Farrell’s choice to show down a attainable three factors vindicated. England dummied the drive, with Jamie George peeling off, and after some battering from the forwards, Kyle Sinckler burrowed over underneath the posts. It was an important second within the match; England’s rating restored their lead and denied Wales a chance to construct some momentum and confidence.
The sport then descended right into a kicking fest, with neither facet displaying any actual inclination to play. Given their lead, England’s pragmatism was barely comprehensible, and Wales not often got here near troubling them, with Freddie Steward dominating the aerial battle. Wales appeared content material to attend for England to make a mistake, devoid of the boldness to pressure the play, however England’s defence and self-discipline have been wonderful. Nevertheless, England’s pragmatism stored Wales within the sport, with Henry Slade kicking away a possible 3v2 after an important steal from Justin Tipuric had denied them minutes earlier than. England upped the tempo within the final ten minutes, and after one other poor field kick allowed them to assault, Ollie Lawrence dotted down within the nook. Farrell once more missed the conversion, however England noticed out the sport comfortably, Wales’s assault missing any penetration.
It represented a job effectively accomplished for England, offering Steve Borthwick along with his first win on the highway as England coach. Journeys to Cardiff at all times symbolize a frightening prospect, and regardless of the disarray surrounding Welsh rugby, Borthwick would have left the Welsh capital feeling happy. England appeared in management all through, and Kevin Sinfield would have been particularly enthused with the defensive effort. Freddie Steward underlined his standing because the world’s finest full-back underneath the excessive ball, whereas Ollie Lawrence produced one other wonderful efficiency, and Anthony Watson marked his return to the facet with a neatly completed attempt. England might want to enhance to face an opportunity of beating France and Eire, with their assault nonetheless missing some sharpness and their decision-making needing larger readability across the opposition 22. Regardless of his sometimes combative efficiency defensively, Owen Farrell’s goal-kicking may even be a priority. Saturday represented one other stepping stone for Borthwick’s facet, however he warned his facet, “we’ve bought to speed up”, with greater assessments forward.
After a tough and mentally taxing week, you’ll be able to’t fault the efforts of the Welsh gamers, however the identical points are repeatedly hampering them. Owen Williams, handed the chance at fly-half, did not ignite his backline, and Wales should do extra to contain the likes of Rees-Zammit and Mason Grady. There isn’t any discernible construction to the Welsh assault, with an absence of choices for the ball participant, leading to one-off runners wading into contact, meat and drink for any first rate defence. Wales have some attacking expertise however should be bolder; even inside a rating of England, they appeared hesitant to play. Three defeats symbolize the worst begin to a Six Nations since 2007 for Wales, a yr that noticed them tumbling out of the group levels of the World cup. Gatland’s chopping and altering has proved fruitless to this point, and with a large sport in Rome arising, it will likely be fascinating to see if he sticks or twists.
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