RBS 6N 2015 - Wales v England Post Match thoughts
By Kath
February 8 2015
England took on the Dragon and won! England fought for an excellent win against Wales in their own back yard on Friday Night. And whilst they are not topping the RBS Six nations Table by the end of this weekend, only due to for/against points, England are in a strong position.
RBS Six Nations
Wales v England
Post Match Thoughts
England started their six nations campaign with a resounding win and performance against Wales in their own back yard. England stood firm in the tunnel, Captain Robshaw saying NO we won't run out until the ref agreed that if they were waiting for Wales any length of time they could come back in. Of course this all added to the build up and the mind games.
And then we had the Welsh crowd boo the England Team and also Boo the National Anthem - not much to say about this, other than it does not belong in the game of rugby.
A game of two halves, Wales having the upper hand in the first half, England could not get into their rhythm and did not look like they could break down the Welsh defence.
Englands Anthony Watson scores a try during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Millennium Stadium
However, Watson went over to score a try but Ford could not convert but did get a penalty 31mins in. Wales scored a penalty, a try and conversion plus a drop goal in the first half and England went in 16- 8 down. So Wales at this point looked good.
And then............... whatever the 'House of Lancaster' said at half time, it worked. England came out all guns blazing and ratcheting up their game, so that Wales frankly looked pedestrian and ordinary. England had a field day in the second half, quieting the crowd and showing a excellent display of rugby skills and stamina.
It started with a Jonathan Joseph - Try at 44mins with Ford converting. Two more penalties converted by Ford and Wales had nothing left in their tank, they looked tired and unable to stem the England attack.
Haskell who was my man of the match almost had a try bouncing into the covers on the posts but in needed to be at the base. Atwood did score a try but it was disallowed due to Easter having been deemed to be crossing two phases back, this was picked up by the linesman. So we could have had more points if lady luck had shone upon us.
Also special mention for Mike Brown, who was all over the field and worked his socks off. To be fair everyone played their part in this win. A bit of a worry Dan Cole coming back and giving away penalties.
Anyway two more penalties converted by Ford and Wales had nothing left in their tank, they looked tired and unable to stem the England attack.
James Haskell on the charge - Photos PA Images
England's Dave Attwood celebrates his try during the RBS 6 Nations match at the Millennium Stadium
Wales: Halfpenny; Cuthbert, J Davies, Roberts, North; Biggar, Webb; Jenkins, Hibbard, Lee, Ball, AW Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau.
Replacements: M Phillips for Webb (69), James for Jenkins (60), Jarvis for Lee (72), Charteris for Ball (69), L Williams for North (26-34).
Not Used: Baldwin, Tipuric, Priestland.
Sin Bin: Cuthbert (61).
England: Brown; Watson, Joseph, Burrell, May; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, Hartley, Cole, Attwood, Kruis, Haskell, Robshaw, B Vunipola.
Replacements: Twelvetrees for Burrell (76), Wigglesworth for B. Youngs (69), M. Vunipola for Marler (55), T Youngs for Hartley (55), Brookes for Cole (62), Easter for Kruis (72).
Not Used: Croft, Cipriani.
Att: 74,500
Ref: Jerome Garces (France).