NOT TOO FARR TO GO!
England edge forward
OWEN FARRELL insists England are not invincible after flirting with disaster at Twickenham.
Eddie Jones’s men diced with defeat before going on to secure a hard-fought win over Wales.
England have now won 15 home games on the spin since Jones took charge and a remarkable 25 from 26 under the Aussie.
Two first-half tries from Jonny May and a conversion from Farrell were just enough to make it back-to-back opening wins in the Six Nations.
But Warren Gatland’s Wales came within a whisker of getting right back into the game, despite being deprived of seven British Lions due to injury.
With Wales trailing 12-0, Gareth Anscombe beat Anthony Watson to the punch and clearly got downward pressure on the ball after it had bounced off Steff Evans’ knee and over the try-line. But instead of five points, Wales were left with a sense of injustice after New Zealand TMO official Glenn Newman decided there was not enough evidence for referee Jerome Garces to award the try.
To rub it in, England replacement Sam Underhill produced the tackle of his life to bundle Scott Williams into touch inches from the line in the final quarter.
Jones was so concerned at the prospect of seeing his unblemished home record blown off course in foul conditions, he marched down to the touchline in the second half. England’s defence held firm but Farrell believes the game was a serious wake-up call.
Farrell, who had a significant hand in setting up both England tries, said: “There’s a resilience to us, I think. I wouldn’t call it an invincibility.
Secret
“What we do take from it is confidence but I don’t think we look ahead too far at all. We don’t take our eye off the ball.
“We have to make sure we prepare well because there’s no massive secret to doing what we’re doing.
“It’s about us working hard and preparing properly for the next Test. You can’t really rest on your laurels too much while you’re here.”
Gatland could not understand why Anscombe was not awarded a try.
“Gareth Anscombe definitely got downward pressure and why that’s not been given is a massive moment in the game,” he said.
“The TMO has one big decision to make and unfortunately he’s made a terrible mistake.
“It was a bad call. It will be interesting to have a chat with him and see what his explanation is because I don’t know anyone who agrees with his decision.” ¬Ê England winger Elliot Daly is in line for a return after his quick recovery from an ankle injury.