ICE-COOL IN ALEX
Dombrandt gets the beers in... as Youngs celebrates cap record
WALES outscored England by three tries to one – but Ben Youngs marked his milestone match with the victory that he craved at Twickenham yesterday.
Youngs eclipsed Jason Leonard’s England record when he came off the bench for his 115th cap after an hour, with Wales threatening a remarkable smash and grab.
But two long-range
penalties from man of the match Marcus Smith, who finished the game with 18 points, gave England enough of a cushion to hold out, despite Kieran Hardy’s late try.
Fittingly, it was Youngs who secured the win by kicking the ball off the field to end a breathless contest.
A cuddle from England No.8 Alex Dombrandt, who had earlier scored his first Test try, was the prelude to a night of celebrations for the veteran scrum-half.
“I will catch up with my family and have some
drinks and spend time with the boys,” said Youngs.
“Maybe not Jason yet – I want to be able to play in two weeks’ time!
“I do look forward to having a beer with Jason next time I see him – he kindly messaged me today and I look forward to that very much.
“We always felt Wales would come back, which they did, and we probably could have managed that period a little bit better but we found a way to win.
“It is a happy changing room – any win against
Wales is not to be taken for granted.”
Did England deserve it? Despite the try imbalance they did just about – but Wales will be left kicking themselves for their generosity in allowing England to ease into a 17-0 lead.
It was 12-0 at the break courtesy of four penalties from Smith, as Welsh indiscipline at the breakdown cost them.
Full-back Liam Williams was sin-binned for desperately slowing the ball down at a ruck after
Charlie Ewels had been held up on the line.
Then the visitors handed England a try on a plate with Dombrandt plunging over after an overthrow from Ryan Elias 10 metres from the Welsh’s own line.
It took a long stretch from the Harlequins man to touch down but he did so against the nation he represented at Under-20s level.
Then Wales finally found their mojo. A good decoy line from Liam Williams allowed Tomos Williams
to put Josh Adams in for a 53rd-minute try.
Wales opted to kick penalties to the corner and after sustained pressure from the pack, they manipulated the England defence well for centre Nick Tompkins to dive over for a converted try on the hour.
With the gap narrowed to five points, that was the signal for England head coach Eddie Jones to bring on Youngs.
Been there, seen it, done it. Youngs has the T-shirt and he knew where the next few crucial minutes needed playing. He made sure England spent it in Welsh territory.
Two long-range kicks from Smith took England into calmer waters and with the bench power turning the scrum battle, the game looked in the bag.
But with 30 seconds to go replacement scrum-half Hardy raced over from a quickly-taken tap penalty and Dan Biggar dropgoaled the conversion to give Wales one last play.
Deep into injury time Wales threw everything they had at it, but Maro Itoje provided the
turnover and Youngs blasted the ball off.
The noise at the end matched that for his introduction – a great reception for a great servant to England.
Youngs (above) said:
“You get the chance to go out and you want to go and do a professional job but the reception seemed incredible to me.
“I am very thankful for the rugby community and how they have responded this week and the support I have been given.
“It was a special moment and to have the family in the crowd to witness it was even more special.”
Try: Dombrandt; Pens: Smith 6.
Tries: Adams, Tompkins, Hardy;
Cons: Biggar 2.