Jones is beaten at his own game in tactical coup
Gatland adopts England’s tactics as visitors fade away after failing to make most of first-half control
Welsh turn tables on rivals
England had been so successful in this Six Nations up until yesterday because they had won front-foot ball thanks to their huge physicality and breakdown work, and then looked to kick early, putting pressure on their opposition back three by turning them.
I thought Wales’s win was the result of a very clever change at half-time – for which Warren Gatland deserves credit – which was basically to use England’s tactics on them. As opposed to the first half when Wales were trying to go through the phases from too far out, in the second half they kicked noticeably earlier, nullifying England’s defensive line speed which had been immense in the first half.
You could see they had decided to kick earlier, and with width, trying to get George North in the game. They also chased brilliantly. Wales still tried to go through the phases, but the difference was they did it from around England’s 22m, putting them under far more pressure. They then really attacked the first defender, with loads of short carries. If it was not on they would just bash it up again, targeting England’s nine and 10 particularly. It eventually led to Cory Hill’s try after 30-plus phases. Fantastic stuff.
England lose control and struggle to adapt
England were not poor by any means. They had the upper hand in the first half and should have been further ahead than they were. That they were not able to put more points on the board will be a source of frustration to Eddie Jones, especially with Wales’ set-piece creaking in the first half. But the real source of concern will be the fact that England were unable to adapt when they lost that front-foot ball which they have so enjoyed. In the first half it looked as if it might be the same old story. England wrestled control of the game and had Wales’ back three turning. Jonny May’s kick and chase left Hadleigh Parkes looking like he was running in treacle. In the second half, though, with Wales wrestling back control of the game, England began to overdo it and the pressure began to tell. They never really got the ball to Manu Tuilagi. Owen Farrell actually kicked straight into touch at one point. Kyle Sinckler got involved in too many little niggly scraps, leaving a shoulder on Gareth Anscombe and then holding Alun Wyn Jones by the neck. England lost all momentum in a careless 10-minute period, giving away a succession of free-kicks and penalties from 45 minutes to 55 minutes, which handed the momentum to Wales. The crowd sensed it and Wales never looked back.
Hosts’ substitutes make the difference
Or rather one substitute. Dan Biggar was the difference when he came on. I thought Gareth Anscombe put in a few big hits to be fair to him. But Biggar made a huge difference. It was his nicely weighted pass which led to Hill’s try. And it was his cross-field kick which led to Josh Adams’s try. But I also liked his magnificent touch finder a little earlier to relieve pressure on his team when they were in their own 22m.
Williams shows what a specialist full-back can do
England enjoyed playing against makeshift full-backs in Robbie Henshaw and Yoann Huget. But Williams’s supreme performance showed the worth of having a specialist in that position. He stopped much of England’s proposed yardage gains and was always a threat ball in hand. One sublime kick and catch in the last 10 minutes summed up his performance and initiated the move that led to Wales’s second try. Wales, like England, had little front-foot ball. But what they did have they made the most of.
Curry deserves more for superb display
I backed Wales to win this championship not because of what they do with the ball but what they do without it. Gatland will need to stand Shaun Edwards a drink or two after this one because Wales’ defence was absolutely immense. Both teams’ were to be fair. Tom Curry did not deserve to be on the losing team because he was magnificent throughout.
This really was a game of fine margins. It made for a fascinating tactical battle. Neither team committed men to rucks which meant there were frequently 13 or 14 men in the defensive line. That meant you really needed to kick to get any width or break the game up.
The Grand Slam is on for Wales now – despite the fact they have not even played that brilliantly – but Ireland were the other big winners yesterday. If they can record a bonuspoint win over Italy today and then take care of business at home to France, that really gives some bite to that final weekend showdown at the Principality Stadium.