Saturday Round-Up

England show credentials: Stuart Lancaster’s England made a genuine statement of their title credentials last night, as they overcame their hosts Wales 21-16 at the Millennium Stadium. Infront of an extra noisy Friday night crowd in Cardiff, it was the home side who made all the early running, with Rhys Webb opening the game’s try scoring account after some fantastic skill from no.8 Taulupe Faletau at the base of a retreating scrum. A Halfpenny conversion and penalty increased Wales’ lead to a comfortable 10 points before Anthony Watson got over in the corner after a deft chip in behind from the left peg of England’s Mike Brown. With the game very much in the balance as the two sides approached the interval, both kickers exchanged pleasantries in the form of three points, with Dan Biggar knocking over a drop-goal right at the half-time whistle. 

The second half however, became an entirely different story, with the momentum swinging in England’s favour, courtesy of a powerful forward showing from their pack, in particular the likes of Dan Cole and James Haskell. Their dominance at the ruck afforded Jonathan Joseph an attacking opportunity just five metres out and the in-form Bath man somehow managed to elude the attention of the trio of Biggar, Webb and North to cross for what would be the game’s crucial score. With England now firmly in the ascendancy, it was left to Ford to earn his side a much deserved lead from the tee, and the youngster obliged having previously failed with a rather regulation attempt from 40 out. The English forwards’ pressure was to prove the difference moments later, with Dave Attwood crossing for another try after James Haskell went storming through a massive gap in the Welsh defensive line only for referee Jerome Garces to pull the visitors back for a Nick Easter obstruction in the build-up. Winger Alex Cuthbert saw yellow and so died any genuine Welsh hopes of a victory, with England now controlling proceedings with aplomb. 

Granted Wales threw everything at England in the dying embers of the game but again, a supposedly experienced and quality outfit failed to deliver on home soil. So reminiscent of many an Autumn series gone by, Wales fans will be left to ponder what is to come under Gatland’s much maligned Warrenball, as once again, the home side failed to show any alternative gameplan. Take nothing away from Lancaster’s England however. Coming to Cardiff shorn of a dozen front-line players, they have begun the most important of calendar years with a real bang.

Ryan Sheady