ENGLAND CLAIM TRIPLE CROWN DESPITE TUILAGI RED CARD

ENGLAND 33 Wales 30

England temporarily signed off a Guinness Six Nations abbreviated by coronavirus by winning the Triple Crown following a victory over Wales that was marred by a red card shown to Manu Tuilagi.

Tries by Anthony Watson and Elliot Daly helped establish a 20-6 half-time lead. But memories of Cardiff a year ago resurfaced when a spellbinding try finished by Justin Tipuric just seconds after the restart hinted at another dramatic comeback.

On that day at the Principality Stadium, Eddie Jones’ men were in full command as they cruised 10-3 ahead at the same stage only to suffer a harrowing collapse that the Australian head coach admitted last week still rankles.

But England were ready this time as they stepped up a gear to remove any danger, penalties by Owen Farrell and George Ford followed by a converted

Tuilagi try sweeping them beyond reach.

The last six minutes were played with only 13 men after Tuilagi was sent off for a shoulder-led charge to the head of George North as the Wales wing approached the whitewash.

Having showed his remorse to North, Tuilagi departed for the stands where he joined Ellis Genge, who had been sin-binned shortly before for straying offside. But England were already out of sight as Dan Biggar and Tipuric ran in late consolation tries.

Victory over their fierce rivals keeps the title quest alive.

But England will have to wait to learn when their finalround clash with Italy in Rome can be played after it was postponed due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

If France defeat Scotland and Ireland in their remaining two games, the ill-fated 2020 Six Nations will have new Grand Slam champions and Jones’ decision to take a knowingly undercooked team to Paris will haunt him over the months to come.