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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Katie Sands

England star taken aback by poor Cardiff atmosphere as incredulous Jiffy loses it

Wales' tendency to repeatedly kick the ball away in their Six Nations clash against England has come under fire, along with the "quiet" atmosphere inside the Principality Stadium.

The entertainment factor, or lack of, on display on Saturday evening seemed to have had an impact on the noise generated by the crowd.

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BBC commentator Andrew Cotter said of it in the opening half: "There's a sort of murmur around the Principality Stadium, 75,000, it's tense, just needs something to spark the game into life."

England international and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care, on co-commentary duty, said: "It's quiet, it really is quiet. We came here in 2013, 10 years ago now, chasing a Grand Slam. I've never heard noise like it. It's different today."

It is arguably an unavoidable consequence of repeated kicking tactics with too many errors, slow recycling of ball and a tendency to gift possession to one of the best full-backs in the world, England's Freddie Steward.

Care said of the No. 15: "He's such a threat in the air. When we played against him for Leicester, we had a kicking plan to not kick to him because there is no point. He wins every kick."

Jonathan 'Jiffy' Davies said at one point: "Don't kick it to the best full-back under the high ball in the world!"

With the clock into the red after 40 minutes, Wales were in possession and Jiffy noted on comms: "Wales have got to look for something here. They can't just kick it into touch now. They haven't had best possession."

Heading into the break, England were leading 8-3 but the same style of play was on show.

After yet another kick into the arms of Steward, an incredulous Jiffy said into the microphone: "Kick to Freddie Steward... just target someone else!"

With England 15-10 up, Care pointed to a lack of confidence for the hosts. "It just seems like Wales look a bit shy of confidence," he said. "They look like they're not quite sure whether they should go or not, whether they should kick or whether they should play. You only get turnovers in your own half when something has gone wrong and people are not on the same page."

Read more:

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Wales v England Live: Latest score and updates from Six Nations

WRU president Gerald Davies writes emotional letter to fans at Wales v England match and says 'sorry it has come to this'

Rob Howley reveals devastating phone call that ended hopes of returning to Wales with Warren Gatland

Sam Warburton calls for Wales' four regions to come under WRU central control as he outlines blueprint for Welsh rugby

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