Famous Fixtures: England v Wales
Ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations meet with Wales, we look back at some classic fixtures between the sides.
2017: Wales 16-21 England
A late Elliot Daly try sealed a dramatic 16-21 victory for England in Wales as their unbeaten run continued to 16 games. Wales had led 13-8 at the break after a breathless half of rugby at the Principality Stadium, the majority of which was played in England’s own half.
After Leigh Halfpenny and Owen Farrell traded early penalties Ben Youngs sniped from five metres out for the first try of the game. Wales ended the half strongly through a Liam Williams try, which gave the hosts a five-point advantage.
Halfpenny added a further three points but two penalties from Farrell brought the score to within three. Daly then went over in the corner with four-minutes remaining in the Test, and Farrell's conversion took the score to 21-16 as England held on for a famous victory.
“Faz passed me the ball and I tried to run as fast as possible into the corner,” said Daly of his wonder score post-match. “I wasn’t thinking about it too much, it was a beautiful ball and I just pinned my ears back to get into that corner and luckily I did.”
2012: England 12-19 Wales
Dreams of a Grand Slam in Stuart Lancaster’s first Six Nations campaign at the helm came crashing down as Scott Williams’ stunning try captured Wales a Triple Crown that became a clean-sweep in the ensuing weeks.
Despite George North causing havoc early on and Sam Warburton going close – only denied by Manu Tuilagi’s superb tackle – the compelling contest remained locked in a kicking duel between Owen Farrell and Rhys Priestland until the 75th minute.
However, Williams stripped lock Courtney Lawes magnificently in midfield, grubbering through and diving on the ball to break English hearts at Twickenham.
2004: England 31-21 Wales
World champions England eventually overcame a determined Welsh effort, but not before the visitors had battled back from 16-9 down to take a 21-16 lead.
Indebted to a Ben Cohen double and a late score from flanker Joe Worsely, England managed to keep their title hopes alive. England opened well, Cohen finishing strongly inside six minutes after wrestling away from both Gareth and Jonathan Thomas.
A kicking duel between Ollie Barkely and Stephen Jones then ensued, but two fabulous tries from Gareth Thomas – his record-equalling 33rd in Tests – and Mark Taylor brought Wales ahead. A phenomenal turnaround looked possible, before Cohen shunted over from close range to seal victory.
2003: Wales 9-22 England
Wales welcomed England to Cardiff on the back of a humiliating reverse in Rome, and came out of the blocks with renewed intent. Sheer fervour and industry – alongside some glaring indiscipline from the visitors – allowed debutant Ceri Sweeney to knock over two early penalties.
However, though his team were far from their most cohesive, nine points from the familiar left boot of Wilkinson hauled England into a slender half-time lead.
The second period was a completely different story, and while Wales certainly re-instilled pride thanks to a combative display, tries from Greenwood and Joe Worsely kept Martin Johnson’s charges on course for their eventual Grand Slam.
2002: England 50-10 Wales
A first Triple Crown in four years came England’s way with this comprehensive victory, a 30-point haul from Jonny Wilkinson propelling the fly half over the 500-mark in internationals. Will Greenwood also excelled as Wales were engulfed by a five-try avalanche.
It was Wilkinson and Greenwood who combined for the hosts’ opening score after 10 minutes, the former chipping through for his centre to dot down. Three penalties and a drop-goal for England’s No.10 brought a 19-3 half-time lead, and though Iestyn Harris tried manfully – tackling hard and grabbing all of Wales’ points – a rapid Dan Luger brace in the second period completed the thrashing.
2001: Wales 15-44 England
A Will Greenwood hat-trick made for a solemn atmosphere at the then Millennium Stadium, as a clinical England romped to victory. Rob Howley and Scott Quinnell dotted down for the hosts but those tries provided scant consolation in the face of a comprehensive defeat, which was on the cards from England’s opening two attacks.
Greenwood profited from a pair of forward surges, first after a searing Jonny Wilkinson break and then following a delightful Iain Balshaw offload.
Wales scrum half Howley capitalised on turnover ball to score, but Matt Dawson replied with a brace before half-time to pave the way for Clive Woodward’s side to stroll home.
