ENGLAND SIGH OF RELIEF
Slam hopes are still alive but Wales boss Gatland is seething as disallowed try costs his men chance of victory
A CONTROVERSIAL disallowed try kept England’s Grand Slam dream alive — as Eddie Jones was almost made to eat his words with a bottle of Welsh hot sauce.
Two early tries from Jonny May ultimately sealed a tense victory, although England did not score in the final hour as Wales seethed at the final whistle.
It would have been an entirely different outcome if Gareth Anscombe’s 24thminute try had not been disallowed, after the Wales full-back was denied by the Television Match Official for not grounding the ball.
‘Unfortunately the TMO has made a terrible mistake,’ said Wales coach Warren Gatland. ‘We have had a look at different angles and you can clearly see him get his hand on the ball.
‘It was big decision in front of 82,000 people and it would be nice to get some clarification. I still can’t understand why that was not a try.’
Jones had talked the talk before kickoff — questioning Wales’ big game credentials ahead of t heir arrival at Twickenham. But the Red Rose coach could offer only a thin defence of the decision to disallow Anscombe’s try, which left TMO Glenn Newman in the firing line for a seemingly rushed call.
‘I don’t think I’ve ever made a comment on the TMO,’ replied Jones. ‘It’s one part in the game that’s done really well in rugby. If he can’t make the right decision, then what can we do? I don’t count the seconds. I allow him to make the decision. You make the decision and you get on with it.’
Most of Jones’ pre-match verbals had focussed on Rhys Patchell and, early on, it seemed he had found his way into the rookie No 10’s head.
England focused their early attack on the Wales fly-half and the outcome was entirely predictable. Jonathan Joseph shot up in midfield to cut off his favourite looped pass, while England’s kickers targeted the 24-year-old when he dropped to cover in the backfield.
Wales lost Leigh Halfpenny to injury before kick-off and, as a result, their new-look back three were vulnerable with their defensive positioning.
Danny Care, George Ford and Owen Farrell took full advantage.
England’s No 9 landed a box kick on Patchell, but Anthony Watson won the chase and claimed possession.
Wales’ wingers found themselves in noman’s land and Farrell pinged a low kick across field for Jonny May to score the opening try.
The psychological sl edgehammer appeared to be working when Patchell pulled his first penalty to the left of the posts.
Then, after 20 minutes, England scored their second.
The forwards turned on their powerful pick-and-go game and – to the backdrop of an eerily quiet crowd – surged up-field through 25 phases.
Welsh defenders were sucked in and, with Ford and Farrell showing the sharpest wit, England flooded left for May’s second, scoring after a majestic offload by Joe Launchbury. Wales, however, were undeterred.
Dylan Hartley suffered a facial wound after 42 seconds and the visitors found an upper hand at the lineout.
Gatland’s side were without a host of Lions stars – including Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau and Dan Biggar – and should have had a first-half try that could
have swung the result. In the pivotal moment, Ans comb et ouch ed down Patchell’s crossfield kick but, after some questionable advice from his TMO, Jerome Garces claimed there was no clear grounding. ‘Is now OK to talk?’ asked Wales captain Alun- Wyn Jones of Garces. The lock questioned England’s growing penalty count and frustrations bubbled, with scuffles breaking out between Ross Moriarty, Farrell, Samson Lee and Courtney Lawes. By half-time, Wales had just one Patchell penalty to show for their efforts. England’ s defensive patterns thwarted the previously free-flowing Welsh attack. Mike Brown dominated the battle of the skies, with Gareth Davies happy to kick the ball out for half-time with a nine-point deficit. ‘It showed that we can be in an arm wrestle and hang in there,’ said Jones. ‘That’s an important habit to have. When you’ve had success, it’ s easy to sit back and complacency sits next to you. It’s a win built around a lot of courage and a lot of belief. We knew we had to play a certain way to beat Wales and the execution by the players was outstanding.’
Black market ticket sales were rife before kick-off. Touts were offering pairs of £95 tickets – allocated to Uxbridge RFC – for £600 a pair and Wales eventually found their sense of showmanship.
Welsh flanker Aaron Shingler made a majestic break downfield and, in the tactical battle between Jones and Warren Gatland, i t was the England coach who had to show his hand as Sam Simmonds and Watson left the pitch through injury. ‘At this stage, we’d hope they will both be all right for Scotland,’ said Jones. Gatland talked up his squad’s fitness during the week and Hartley’s final act was to concede a scrum penalty under a nudge from the Welsh pack. George North replaced Patchell after 56 minutes and the front- row cavalry followed. Anscombe danced his way out of t he 22 with his footwork, cutting open England with a pitch-length break. It was time for the defensive leaders to step up and Sam Underhill forced Scott Williams into touch with a thundering one-armed tackle to save a certain try. Farrell then dislodged Shingler, with Wales guilty of handling errors in a 51minute stalemate. Anscombe finally brought Wales within range with a late penalty but an Underhill turnover finally killed off t he Welsh resistance as Jones breathed a sigh of relief.