They thought it was all over: The year of the photo-finish: Woodward's nemesis

THE DRAGON ROARS BACK

IT MARKED the beginning of the end of Clive Woodward's dream, not only of European superiority but global success. England dominated the match, as they had the last edition of the Five Nations' Championship, and were on the cusp of a Grand Slam when Tim Rodber flattened Colin Charvis with a crushing tackle. Andre Watson, the referee, blew for a penalty.

Neil Jenkins kicked Wales from deep defence and from the shortened line- out the ball was moved left. Scott Quinnell, whose handling can be of Teflon quality, juggled in midfield but managed to hold on to it before releasing Scott Gibbs on the burst. The Lions' centre, who is built like an anvil, was unstoppable as he breached the heart of the England defence, beating Rodber in the process, before diving over the line.

If it looked like a move borrowed from rugby league, that is because it was. It had St Helens (north of England, not Swansea) written all over it. Gibbs and Quinnell, who had both, of course, experienced the 13-man game, had talked about such a ploy. "We had never actually practised it," Gibbs recalled. "And that is the one and only time we've ever done it. I called the move and the key was that England were not expecting Scott to pass. When I got the ball the English defence were going the other way and it made me look good."

Wales were still a point behind but Jenkins' conversion - he made such a momentous kick look a formality - put them in front for the first time. As Gibbs walked back after the try and threw the ball to Jenkins, he had five memorable words for the stand-off: "Just kick the f*****g thing."

When Gibbs was subsequently congratulated by supporters wherever he went, he was struck by one thing. "A lot of them had injuries, with their arms in slings, that sort of thing. In celebrating the try they had punched the air too wildly and pulled something or had fallen off their seats."

Gibbs' run came in the third minute of injury time but England still had a chance. Their forwards took control deep in the Welsh half, but instead of maintaining pressure - they were odds on to win a penalty - they panicked. They released the ball to Mike Catt who predictably went for the drop goal and equally predictably was wide. Catt is no Jannie de Beer.

The improbable victory had a profound three-way effect: it illuminated Scotland, who benefited by taking the championship, it added to Graham Henry's reputation as a coach who could walk on the River Taff and, above all, it exposed England. From Wembley they went to Australia and lost; in the World Cup they were beaten by New Zealand at Twickenham and by South Africa in Paris.

As for Wembley, Rodber, and every other Englishman, complained that his tackle was legitimate and Wales should never have been given a lifeline. The evidence points to the contrary. Charvis suffered a fractured cheekbone. The damage to England's ego was a lot worse.