| Wales: (17) 40 |
| Tries: Adams, L. Williams, Hardy, Hill Disadvantage: Biggar 2, Sheedy 2 Pencils: Biggar, Sheedy 3 |
| England (14) 24 |
| Tries: Watson, B Youngs Disadvantage: Farrell Pencils: Farrell 4 |
Wales won the Triple Crown by defeating England in a dramatic six-nation game at Principality Stadium.
Controversial attempts by Josh Adams and Liam Williams helped Wales open a 17-14 lead at halftime at Cardiff, with Anthony Watson responding for England.
Kieran Hardy and Ben Youngs then traded second-half attempts as the teams went into the final 15 minutes.
Callum Sheedy’s shoe and a late attempt from Cory Hill put Wales to two games after a Grand Slam.
Wayne Pivac’s team now has trips to Italy and France on March 13-20, as they aim for a second clean win in their last three tournaments.
England will point to the two first-half attempts missed by French referee Pascal Gauzere but will also have to regret their continued indiscipline, with Lock Maro Itoje particularly guilty.
Adams’ goal was allowed after a quick penalty from Dan Biggar, while Williams crossed ahead of the field despite suggestions for Louis Rees-Zammit replay.
These attempts helped Wales score the highest points against England as they watched victories against Ireland and Scotland.
Defending champions England have now lost two of their first three games.
Much has been written about the lack of crowds in the stadiums during the coronavirus pandemic, but a six-nation game between Wales and England – usually so lively – conjured up perhaps the scariest atmosphere ever.
Welshman George North led the teams when he became the youngest player to win 100 caps for his country in one of five substitutions against Scotland.
In the minute’s silence to mark opposition to racism, half of the English team took their knee while Wales maintained their usual stance of standing.
England set the tone by giving three early penalties in the first five minutes, with Biggar shooting over the top three points.
Itoje’s effective harassment score almost paid off on an attempt in England when he blocked a Hardy kick, but full-back Williams beat his former Saracens teammate to touchdown.
The breaks from Elliot Daly and Youngs allowed Farrell to improve the score.
Referee decisions upset England
In the first moment of controversy, Wing Adams hit the net after receiving a quick, clever cross-kick from a quick penalty from Biggar.
English Captain Farrell argued vehemently that there were water carriers in the field and that his crew had no chance to sit back after being asked to speak to his team about their discipline.
But Gauzere knocked away the complaints and allowed the score, which Biggar converted.
However, it was a special moment for Adams to be back on the home page after being suspended for two games for violating the Covid-19 protocols.
Farrell reduced the deficit with his second sentence, as Gauzere’s whistle continued to dominate the trial.
The next controversial score came when Liam crossed Williams after Rees-Zammit fumbled possession of an Adams chip.
Gauzere gave an initial ruling on the area of a try and a discussion with TV game officer Alex Ruiz and reruns didn’t change his opinion that Rees-Zammit had failed to hit the ball or was out of control of possession.
Biggar converted from the Post and it all went to Wales.
England responded almost immediately with an attempt by Watson’s wing of their first flowing move. Farrell missed the move but beat a penalty kick to reduce the deficit to 17-14 at halftime.
Wales punished England indisciplinary
In a cagey second half, both sides waited for the other team to make a mistake and Welsh flanker Josh Navidi was guilty of a mistake when penalized but Farrell failed to get the score.
Biggar left the field early in the second half after failing to knock in the first half and calling on Callum Sheedy.
Wales immediately increased the pace and Hardy took advantage of an unforeseen English defense with a quick penalty after carrying out an awkward attack after an awkward attack from Lock Jonny Hill. Sheedy converted.
Farrell gave England the lead with his third penalty before some encouraging bursts of ball-carrying by the Vunipola brothers put the guests on their front feet before conceding another penalty.
It showed England’s intent to attack and the Youngs flicked past Farrell, who converted to level the scores.
This shocked Wales with Sheedy’s sharp break and chip, almost leading to another try for Hardy, but he was turned down, damaging his Achilles tendon in the process.
Sheedy stood up to three late penalties to restore Wales’ lead after more indiscipline in England as the Bristol half of the field answered any doubts about his shooting ability internationally.
In a late riot, Gloucester teammates Jonny May and Rees-Zammit decided who was fastest, but only one attempt was denied the Wales wing.
From the resulting Scrum surrogate lock, Hill drove over for a bonus points win, with Sheedy converting to complete a personal 13-point match-defining ad.
Man of the game: Taulupe Faletau
The number eight in Wales has returned to world-class form in this campaign and has contested a duel with Englishman Billy Vunipola
Constellations
Wales: L Williams; Rees-Zammit, North, J. Davies, Adams; Biggar, Hardy; W Jones, Owens, Tomas Francis, Bart, AW Jones (Capt), Navidi, Tipuric, Faletau.
Replacement: Sheedy for Biggar (45), Halaholo for J Davies (50), Hill for Beard (54), Dee for Owens (63), R Jones for W Jones (63), G Davies for Hardy (65), Brown for Francis ( 67), Botham for Navidi (70).
England: Daly; Watson, Slade, Farrell, May; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.
Replacement: Ewels for Hill (58), Cowan-Dickie for George (60), Genge for M Vunipola (67), Robson for B Youngs (70), Earl for Wilson (70).
Game officer
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Touch judge: Andrew Brace (Ireland) & Frank Murphy (Ireland)
TMO: Alex Ruiz (France)
Wales lead the six-nation standings from France, whose home game against Scotland was postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak in their camp
