Magnificent seven – the top Welsh wins over old enemy on Twickenham stage
THE line that is always guaranteed to bring an appreciative roar from audiences listening to Max Boyce is the one that refers to Wales defeating England in a fast and open game. At Twickenham, of course. There haven’t been that many such successes there over the years, with Wales boasting a modest 25 per cent win rate in matches against the old enemy at their London HQ since 1910.
At times, victories for the visitors from across the border have dried up. Indeed, before the triumph under Warren Gatland in 2008, Wales had gone 20 years without a win at England’s base and they succeeded just twice in four decades between 1910 and 1950.
However, there have been enough to savour in more recent times.
Last night, S4C showed the Jonathan Davies and Adrian Hadleyinspired Welsh victory in 1988.
It’s one remembered fondly by all who witnessed it, Wales playing with panache as they stormed the Twickenham fortress.
But where does that particular vintage stand among the greatest Wales triumphs at the old ground?
We took a look at seven magnificent Welsh wins.
7. ENGLAND 5-11 WALES, 1950 Teenager Lewis inspires first win in 17 years
A massive crowd of 75,000 packed into the old Cabbage Patch to watch the rivals square up, with the gates shut an hour before kick-off and thousands left outside.
Wales had been hit heavily by the loss of Bleddyn Williams and Rees Stephens with injuries.
But they shrugged aside those blows to gain a wonderful success.
At the centre of it was Lewis Jones, making his debut at the age of just 18 years and nine months.
Responding to an early England try, he collected the ball on halfway with the expectation that he would play the percentages. But he was young and youngsters tend to embrace risk, so he took off.
“Kick you fool!’’ a senior international is reported to have shouted as he watched Jones embark on a diagonal run that devastatingly straightened, carving open the cover and contributing to a move that ended with prop Cliff Davies claiming a remarkable try.
Later Jones kicked a penalty and a conversion as Wales secured a dramatic victory.
SO many memories from here, not least of Sam Warburton’s try-rescuing hit on Manu Tuilagi which required extraordinary courage from Wales’ captain.
There was also an intervention from Leigh Halfpenny that wasn’t within a spaceflight of concern for his own well-being. It stopped David Strettle from scoring and summed up the full-back’s courage.
In between, Scott Williams ripped the ball from Courtney Lawes before setting off to claim a try that secured Wales a Triple Crown.
WARREN Gatland’s first game in charge of Wales saw him include 13 Ospreys in his starting line-up and they proved good enough to beat England, along with some help from their friends.
Lee Byrne and Mike Phllips scored tries and played superbly throughout, as did James Hook and Martyn Williams.
England had led 16-6 at the break, only to lose their way as the visitors hit their straps. After Hook’s conversion of Phillips’ try, Wales were seven points in front and the hosts didn’t looking like hitting back.
4. ENGLAND 3-11 WALES, 1988 Two-try Hadley shines amid Davies masterclass
WALES included four fly-halves in their back division in Bleddyn Bowen, Mark Ring, Tony Clement and Jonathan Davies.
As statements of intent go, it was quite something.
But it was 0-0 at half-time with the game very much there to be won.
Wales then began playing, with Adrian Hadley crossing after a bout of interpassing with Mark Ring.
Then came another beauty as Davies and Ring triggered a move which saw Hadley cross after an inside ball from Bowen.
A Davies dropped-goal finished the hosts off.
Has there been a more Twickenham win for Wales? stylish
3. ENGLAND 13-17 WALES, 1970 It’s Chico time
WALES had looked to be heading for defeat when Gareth Edwards left the field injured with 20 minutes to play, with England ahead 13-6.
But if home supporters thought their team were home and hosed, they were made to think again as a remarkable cameo unfolded before their very eyes, with Ray ‘Chico’ Hopkins starring as Edwards’ replacement. First, the ebullient man from Maesteg sent JPR Williams over, then