England losing heads Wales’ crowning glory
WALES ENGLAND 21 13
WARREN Gatland celebrated his final Guinness Six Nations match against England with a dramatic victory in Cardiff which continues Wales’ march towards the Grand Slam.
Second-row Cory Hill forced his way over in the 68th minute after a lengthy period of Welsh resurgence to seize the lead for the first time, his team thriving amid the arrival of replacement fly-half Dan Biggar from the bench to direct the final quarter.
Bedlam ensued at the Principality Stadium in the closing moments when Josh Adams grabbed Biggar’s crossfield kicked to touch down and confirm a famous win.
Gatland’s first taste of success over opposite number Eddie Jones in four attempts also set a new national record of 12 consecutive victories and was a fitting way to end their Championship rivalry before the Kiwi steps down after the World Cup.
England led 10-3 at half-time and appeared d e s tined to add Wales to their impressive list of emphatic results against Ireland and France, only to come apart at the seams after the interval.
Tom Curry and Kyle Sinckler made 16 tackles each in the first half alone, but it was the 20-year-old Sale openside who really shone in a display of relentless commitment that was headlined by a first-half try.
Sinckler, however, turned villain and left the pitch to a chorus of booing after conceding important penalties for a late tackle and wrestling Alun Wyn Jones around the neck at a point when England were wobbling.
Eddie Jones responded to the second infringement by immediately removing Sinckler and the ill-discipline supported Gatland’s pre-match claim the Harlequins prop is a “time bomb.”
His withdrawal coincided with the collapse of his team as rattled England lost their heads.
For the last five Tests, England have scored inside the opening three minutes but at the Principality Stadium they came under ferocious early pressure that even dazed the usually unflappable Owen Farrell.
The tempo accelerated as Wales launched repeated attacks, scragging Farrell as he looked to step his way out of trouble.
However, steely composure enabled them to weather the storm and edge upfield, where a scrum penalty allowed Farrell to land three points.
With Courtney Lawes acting as a wrecking ball in defence and Ben Youngs kicking smartly it was possible to draw first blood, but they were soon