England outgun Wales

CARDIFF. — England snatched a late 21-16 win against Wales in the rugby Six Nations on Saturday to stretch their winning run to 16 matches while Ireland handed Italy a nine-try, 63-10 rout in Rome.

The reigning champions were 16-11 behind with just nine minutes left at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium with hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams fading fast.

But an Owen Farrell penalty saw England narrow the gap before, with four minutes left, Wales centre Jonathan Davies’s poor clearance kick allowed Elliot Daly to run in the winning try.

“We are a gritty team with characters in there that don’t know how to get beaten and that was evident today,” said England’s Australian coach Eddie Jones.

A fast-paced first half ended with Wales five points in front at 13-8.

England scrum-half Ben Youngs had put his side in the driving seat with a try before sustained Welsh pressure was rewarded on the stroke of half-time when wing Liam Williams ran a sharp line from behind a scrum for a try which Leigh Halfpenny converted.

Jones praised the 24-year-old Daly’s decisive score by saying: “He’s got gas the boy. He’s got a bit of ‘X-factor’ about him and that’s why we like him.

“I don’t necessarily think wing is his best position but it suits us at the moment.”

Saturday’s win for England followed last week’s opening 19-16 triumph over France at Twickenham while Wales have one win and one defeat from two games following their 33-7 victory in Italy,

Wales coach Rob Howley said the closing stages on Saturday were crucial.

“I’m proud and delighted with the performance...up to about 75 minutes,” he said.

“Unfortunately, England know how to win.