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Wales vs England player ratings: Second-row stars shine as Scott Williams and Liam Williams dazzle in defeat

Man-for-man marking from the Six Nations match in Cardiff

Jack de Menezes
Principality Stadium, Cardiff
Saturday 11 February 2017 21:52 GMT
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England once again snatched victory from the jaws of defeat thanks to a late Elliot Daly try to secure a 21-16 win over Wales in Cardiff, two years after achieving the same result.

Unlike that occasion in 2015, England scored the first try of the match when Ben Youngs finished a dogged move that spanned 26 phases and led to the scrum-half darting over from close range.

Wales responded though, and two Leigh Halfpenny penalties reduced the deficit, the impressive Liam Williams sprinted through an enormous gap in the England defence to score next to the posts, with Halfpenny converting to send the side in at 13-8.

After the break, Wales tried to press home their advantage, but could only muster a single Halfpenny penalty for their efforts, while Farrell landed two penalties for the visitors as they grew back into the game.

Then came the decisive moment in the 75th minute. After losing the ball, England were facing the prospect of a first defeat in 16 matches and a maiden loss for head coach Eddie Jones. But Jonathan Davies’ poor clearance kick from his own try line failed to find touch and England countered. George Ford passed to Farrell who released Daly, and from 30 metres out he left Alex Cuthbert for dead to score in the corner, with Farrell’s conversion clinching the victory.

So who impressed in the enthralling Six Nations encounter in Cardiff? Click on the gallery above to find out.

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