Wales vs England LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations grudge match in Cardiff
Wales 10-20 England: England edge a scrappy clash in Cardiff as Anthony Watson, Ollie Lawrence and Kyle Sinckler score
Tries by Anthony Watson, Kyle Sinckler and Ollie Lawrence propelled England rugby to a nervy 20-10 victory over Wales rugby in a scruffy Six Nations encounter that showed how much both teams have to do to become competitive in the championship.
England started strongly with an Owen Farrell penalty and a well-crafted try for Watson, making his first start for two years, but Wales briefly led after an intercept try by Louis Rees-Zammit at the start of the second half.
England regained the lead when Sinckler burrowed over and though they were on top for most of the second half, they made the game safe only 10 minutes from the end with another well-crafted try finished off by Lawrence.
It was England’s second successive win following the home victory over Italy but made it three defeats out of three for Wales, who rarely looked dangerous, to complete a wretched week where the fixture was in doubt after the players threatened to strike in their row with the Welsh union.
Relive the action from Cardiff below:
Italy 7-12 Ireland, 15 minutes
Still little sign of the contest settling down, with Italy bringing to an end the first sustained period of kick tennis with a rightward exploration of space.
Back to the left, and Pierre Bruno has to stall to take a wide miss ball. He kicks up the touchline into Ross Byrne’s grasp, and the Ireland fly-half imposes calm with a punt to touch from the safe embrace of his own 22.
TRY! Italy 7-12 IRELAND (Hugo Keenan try, 14 minutes)
It’s like a basketball game!
Anything Italy can do...
Superb handling from Ireland at the line, Ross Byrne finding Mack Hansen out the back of Stuart McCloskey, with Bundee Aki then taking the wing’s pass to burst open the fissure.
Hugo Keenan should be handled by the backfield defence but wriggles free to complete the score.
Italy 7-5 Ireland, 13 minutes
This is a properly fun start from Italy. The variation in their attack is always brilliant, but they are asking different questions at every possibility today, this time Pierre Bruno collecting a deft chip out to the left. He and Ange Capuozzo are just about smothered into touch, though.
Italy 7-5 Ireland, 12 minutes
Ireland manage to disrupt Italian lineout ball, forcing a scrambling Stephen Varney into a slightly hurried kick that rebounds of Irish limbs into touch. Another throw for Giacomo Nicotera just inside his own ten-metre line.
Italy 7-5 Ireland, 10 minutes
A penalty to Italy as they again test the Irish wide defence. Midfield lineout, and off the top they go...
Lorenzo Cannone again! Another magnificent break in the wide channel from the number eight, putting his foot down to accelerate on an unders line to power through a soft shoulder. He’s hauled down and it all comes a-cropper, though - should he have given it to three waiting teammates out side him?
Still, Italy have shown their attacking acumen already - Ireland look very, very vulnerable in the thirteen channel, where they were forced to make a late change yesterday.
TRY! ITALY 7-5 Ireland (Stephen Varney try, 8 minutes)
How about that for an answer? Brilliant from Italy!
Delicious work in phase play from the hosts, drawing an advvantage. A lovely wide pass across the face takes out three Irish defenders and affords Lorenzo Cannone the space to hurry away.
The number eight dummies and dummies again, giving a biff to the last defender to ensure quick ball as he is felled two metres out. Stephen Varney picks and snipes into the space adjacent - over goes the scrum half, with Paolo Garbisi’s conversion pushing Italy in front.
Italy 0-5 Ireland, 6 minutes
All a little over eager from the Italians as they sweep to the left, Pierre Bruno well held in a wide one-on-one tackle and then the ball spilled.
Ireland clear up to halfway and back Italy will come.
Italy 0-5 Ireland, 5 minutes
Not the start that Kieran Crowley would have wanted from his Italian side, who really must fix their opening quarter issues. Ireland make a hash of the restart claim, granting the hosts an attacking scrum - which goes down. Free kick to Italy and they tap quickly...
TRY! Italy 0-5 IRELAND (James Ryan try, 3 minutes)
There will be no ruling that one out!
No slow start for Ireland - this has been a sensational start. They cut Italy to shreds for a second time up the left, Bundee Aki bulkily busting between a pair of defenders and offloading to James Lowe outside him.
Lowe’s hands are more secure this time, flicking inwards to his captain, and James Ryan canters in and slides over.
NO TRY! Italy 0-0 Ireland, 2 minute
Well well well - it’s a long old check from the officials with James Lowe’s fingertips seeming to just be on the ball as he slams it into the in-goal area, but further inspection and Mike Adamson rules it out.
A chance missed. Fine work from Ange Capuozzo to hustle back and be a bother, forcing Lowe’s error.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies