England triumph a pulsating match in Cardiff.
Guest writer Jack-Daniels Spoor gives us the analysis from the Principality Stadium.
Recent form seemed to count for nothing in the build up to this full-blooded encounter in Cardiff, as do many Anglo Welsh grudge matches. Both sides seemed confident of a win, but after 75 minutes you wouldn’t be able to tell which team had been unbeaten for 15 games.
But the quality in the last five minutes to score a superb counterattacking try just after coughing up possession in the opposition 22, maintain a ferocious defensive line and force a turnover, was just enough for England to clinch a firecracker of a game that proved why the Six Nations is an enthralling contest to watch.
The game started at a fierce pace, England gaining the more meaningful go forward in the first quarter, regularly beating Wales over the gain line.
George Ford controlled the tempo and mixed up his distribution well; the result of which was good yardage into the Welsh 22. This gave Ben Youngs, ultimately, the platform to force himself over from one metre out. In fact, the only blemish for England up to that point was missing two very gettable punts at goal.
After the try, the Welsh found some spare change in their back pocket, gained the ascendency and camped in English territory for the rest of the half.
Their initial snubs for kicking at goal would have been commended and criticised in equal measure (and probably still will) had Liam Williams not picked out the line of the tournament from an attacking scrum to score just before half time, giving them the lead at the break 13-8.
The second half saw the Welsh pick up from where they left off, continuing to dominate possession and territory, admittedly for limited rewards. This turned out to be decisive as the English finished stronger, as has been a characteristic of their recent games.
Despite some frustratingly sloppy play in the possession, they managed to find that all important try through Elliot Daly to secure a late win. Oh how Wales will rueing missing touch when clearing their lines.
There is little doubt that Wales were the better team for large portions of match and frustrated England’s normal rhythm. The back row especially seemed to dominate at the breakdown and in the tighter channels, with all three starting Welshman outplaying their opposite numbers.
Despite this, England won this game with their defence. Excluding the try, which was a fantastic “off the training field”, “one for the highlight reel” move, the Welsh struggled to convert their substantial pressure, in both halves, into points. This was testament to England’s line speed which was almost reminiscent of the second test in Australia last year and frustrated Wales when it mattered most, the red zone.
They have had this temperament under Eddie Jones of unfaltering belief and calm which seems unwavering, even when their backs are against the walls. Thus they seem to be able to close out tight games. It is obviously nowhere near the certainty that all fans associate with the All Blacks, but it is go somewhere to restore the belief levels of circa 2003.
Before the non-English readers switch off (if they haven’t already!) they are by no means a finished article and I still, like many, have a feeling of dread when watching them play.
And as I noted above, Wales played the better rugby for a lot of the game. The turnover count was 8 -2 in their favour, due to the strong and dynamic partnership of Warburton and Tipuric.
Wales targeted England’s high body position using the rip tackle to great effect to steal possession and made England’s attack look pedestrian at times with furious defence in the tight channels, making them look very ordinary and beatable.
Ross Moriarty personified this effort with a superb defensive display, throwing his opposite number around like a rag doll. It was a surprise when he was substituted so soon into the second half, and coincided with England gaining an attacking foothold in the game.
Dan Biggar had one of his best games for Wales, kicking astutely and ensured his side stuck to their game plan. He targeted George Ford’s passive defence well, and some of the Welsh big carriers benefited greatly from running down his channel.
However, outside of him, Wales lack any real, at best confidence; and at worst quality, excluding Liam Williams. Scott Williams is finding his feet on the international stage. Johnathan Davies appears to offer very little in attack, and will be disappointed with a thoughtless kick which gifted England their winning try.
Similarly, Leigh Halfpenny seems to offer a great boot, but very little else. He lacks the raw pace and creatively of Stuart Hogg or the rugged consistent work rate of Mike Brown. He is lost in a mediocre medium. Unfortunately, it was Alex Cuthbert who was the real weak link, as his defensive naiveties played a part in both England tries. These fragilities are not isolated and have hampered Cuthbert’s development as a player, costing him his international place more than once. He seems tactically at sea on the highest stage, and is always second guessing himself: whether it is his defensive positioning or his general appetite for work of his wing.
Wales will also be kicking themselves for several squandered opportunities, especially from set pieces, be it conceding a penalty from a five-metre scrum, a knock on from an attacking maul or miscalls at lineout time.
England also had their “finishers” on the bench to thank for the turn around, with Ben Te’o, James Haskell, and Jamie George all making a significant impact upon coming on. Te’o and especially George will be feeling hard done by as they will unlikely be rewarded with starting places despite standing out, but will no doubt continue to used what time they get on the field to persuade Eddie Jones otherwise. Haskell should get the nod to start against Italy, as Clifford was anonymous from the start, in tight game not suited for his need for space to run into.
What pleased me as an England fan was their ability to find another gear to win despite not playing at their best, and despite a strong and determined opposition. No doubt luck will be sighted by some as a factor, and to those I say, with a win streak this long, you make your own luck. A sign of a good team is winning even when you don’t play well. Much to improve on still.
What would disappoint me if I was a Welsh fan was the consensus, especially on the BBC punditry panel, that Wales should be pleased with that result given the circumstances. Martyn Williams believed that “Wales played some of their best rugby for three or four years” in that game. As far as I am concerned, with the talent the Welsh squad has, they could beat anyone in the world. So, losing tightly to a very confidence and dogged England side, shouldn’t be comforting as it was suggested, it should have been agonising, a true opportunity missed to add to their collection.
They are a team in transition, no doubt, but the fact that England didn’t go into this game as strong favourites in a lot of people’s minds suggests they have an equally good shot at winning this game, and no excuse making or inserted caveats should be used to hide their inability to close, winnable, tight matches when the pressure is on.
Jack-Daniels Spoor
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