England got 18 crucial points from the boot of Marcus Smith against Wales at Twickenham
(Picture: Getty Images)In a game that came flying to life in a sensational second half, England held off a spirited Welsh fightback to win 23-19, keeping alive their slim hopes of winning the Six Nations.
England’s fans were watching their side at home for the first time in this competition for two years. They were not treated to a vintage victory in this great rivalry, but they will not mind. The rugby was messy in the first half, but nerve-shredding at times in the second, not least with the clock red as Wales surged in search of victory.
All of England’s points came from the Harlequins starlets Marcus Smith – who kicked six penalty goals to be adjudged player of the match – and Alex Dombrandt, who scored his first international try early in the second half to set up a 17-0 lead. Wales, inspired by Taulupe Faletau and Tomos Williams, responded to that with two tries, but Smith’s boot kept England out in front.
Wales’ penalty count – up beyond a dozen by the end – and a struggling lineout were punished by England, who were far from perfect. Wales scored three tries, the third to secure a bonus point in the 79th minute, to England’s one. Even after that third score, Wales attacked from deep in a bid to win the game with the clock dead. Having never led, it was not quite to be.
The game made a promising start, before becoming very messy – mainly because of the interminable wait for scrums to set. There was little rhythm, an issue made worse by a long delay when Luke Cowan-Dickie was taken from the field with what looked like a knee injury.
By then, Smith had succeeded with two almost identical penalties from the left, but missed a simpler chance from in front of the posts. England had also come mighty close to scoring through Charlie Ewels, but a cheeky hand from Liam Williams – who was shown a yellow card – denied them. The only points England scored while Williams was in the bin was a Smith penalty just as he came back on.
So after 30 scrappy minutes, England led 9-0. On the stroke of half-time, they extended that by three more points. Neither team appeared especially happy with Mike Adamson, the Scottish referee.
England had dominated the ball (with 68 per cent of possession), and had their moments – there was one particularly beautiful 50:22 from Henry Slade, and Smith pulled the strings delicately – but every time they got close to Wales’ line, they made a simple error. Wales, in attack, looked more incisive, especially in broken field.
The game livened up in the third quarter. England made an energetic start to the second half to take themselves beyond Wales’ reach. Freddie Steward made a brilliant high take, then Max Malins broke down the right. It came back left and Smith’s deft nudge gave Wales a lineout on their own line.
The set piece malfunctioned badly, with Ryan Elias’s throw going too long. Dombrandt, surprised, gathered the ball and set off for the corner. His stretching finish was superb and, although Smith could not add the extras, England led by 17.
Wales responded well, with Faletau and Tomos Williams driving them into the 22. They went left, but butchered a simple overlap, and were then turned over for the first time in quick succession. The pressure eventually told, when Josh Adams went over in the left corner after scrum-half Williams’ beautiful pass took out England’s entire blindside defence.
Wales were not done yet. They surged from deep through Liam Williams and Adams, winning a penalty that took them down to the English line – once, then again. After a sustained period of pressure following the second kick to the corner, Nick Tompkins scrambled over to score. This time, Dan Biggar added the conversion and, with 20 minutes remaining, we had a five-point game.
It was at this juncture that Eddie Jones turned to Ben Youngs, who came on to become England’s most-capped male player, with 115. He was brought on as a general in place of Harry Randall, who had brought fizz.
Youngs helped gather England, who won a vital penalty – nudged over from more than 40 metres by Smith – to take the margin back to eight. Another long effort made it 11.
Kieran Hardy’s opportunistic try brought Wales within four, and Biggar’s quick conversion meant the game went on. From deep in their own half, they built, winning a penalty to make it into English territory but the error finally arrived, with Youngs booting the ball out to secure the home win.
