ENGLAND still have a chance to WIN the Six Nations with a victory over out of form Wales in Cardiff – and got off to the perfect start thanks to early Maro Itoje and Tom Roebuck tries.
Wales thought they had levelled soon after Itoje’s early score, but a try of their own was ruled out by refs for offside and Tom Roebuck then piled on them misery to score the second try within 10 minutes.
England were cruising but Ben Thomas then scored a deserved Wales try 10 minutes before half-time, but Tommy Freeman hit back almost immediately to restore the lead.
Steve Borthwick’s side are looking to go four points ahead of France – who play tonight – with a victory over Wales, who are winless in over 500 days.
The French face Scotland later with a huge point differential but England could heap on the pressure to Les Blues with a bonus point victory at the Principality.
Matt Sherratt’s Welsh side have put in some good displays against Scotland and Ireland since the depature of Warren Gatland, and will be looking to extinguish any hopes old rivals England have.
- TV channel: BBC One / BBC iPlayer
- Kick-off: 4:45pm GMT
- Wales XV: Murray, Mee, Llewelly, Thomas, Roberts, Anscombe, Williams; Smith, Dee, John, Rowlands, Jenkins, Wainwright, Morgan, Faletau
- England XV: M Smith, Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly, F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, T Curry, B Curry, Earl
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TMO review in progress
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Try – Will Stuart (England)
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Wales 7-28 England
39. This has gone horribly wrong for Wales.
It all looks too easy for the visitors.
England are in completel control, dominating this match.
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Try – Chandler Cunningham-South (England)
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Wales 7-21 England
37. That try has really silenced the crowd in the Principality Stadium.
England are on the front foot once again, looking for another try.
They are yards away from the Weslh try line.
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Wales 7-21 England
35. Poor defending from Wales there.
They worked so hard to get back into this game and immediately allow England to restore their fourteen point lead.
That will really knock the wind out of the Welsh sails.
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Try – Tommy Freeman (England)
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Wales 7-14 England
33. Finally Wales have their try.
Thomas goes over the line as a the stadium erupts.
Anscombe sends the conversion over to claw more points back.
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Try – Ben Thomas (Wales)
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Wales 0-14 England
29. Wales are going through the motions here.
Rowlands tries an outlandish kick to the touchline, which really seemed a waste.
However, it is pulled back for a penalty to the hosts, opting to kick for touch.
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Wales 0-14 England
27. Wales are looking to pile on the pressure.
To their credit, England have dealt well with all they have thrown at them in this half.
That disallowed try has really changed the course of this game, such a contentious decision, the hosts would have been right back in this had it been allowed.
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Wales 0-14 England
25. Just as England have the chance to clear their lines, they ggive away a penalty.
The hosts opt to go for touch, three points does them no favours in this game with the scoreline as it is.
Wales need to try and score at least one try before the interval to try and claw their way back into this match.
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Wales 0-14 England
23. Murray picks up a loose ball and has space to run into.
It seems that he is clean through but an English tackle just about manages to bring him to ground.
The Welshman will be wondering what he has to do to score today.
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Wales 0-14 England
21. England are penalised for the lineout not being straight.
The argue their case with the official, but as the replay shows, they do not have a case whatsoever.
Wales have the put in at the scrum just inside their own half.
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Wales 0-14 England
19. England are trying to test Wales with the box kicks.
On this occasion it works well as the visitors regather it.
The hosts are struggling to clear their lines, the English have the chance to try and put this game beyond them before the interval.
Credit: PA
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Wales 0-14 England
17. England steal the ball and look to drive forward.
Itoje bursts through the challenges before Smith sends a high kick downfield.
Murray takes it well as he is immediately surrounded by white shirts.
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Wales 0-14 England
15. It is all kicking off between the players now.
The slightest of incidents can spark this game into a brawl.
Wales are starting to get frustrated that they have not managed to lay a glove on the visitors in this game so far.
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Wales 0-14 England
13. The home faithful continue to sing out, looking to inspire their team.
Wales look to drive a ruck forward but England are awarded the scrum.
Far more positive from the hosts as they try to work into the English twenty-two.
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Wales 0-14 England
11. This is not going they way this crowd had hoped so far.
It has been plain sailing for England.
Wales need to regroup and start putting the visitors under more pressure.
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Try – Tom Roebuck (England)
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Wales 0-7 England
9. That is a big blow for Wales.
Firstly they checked for a knock on but it was obvious from the replay that it hit the Welsh player in the face.
However, it was then deemed that Tomos Williams was in an offside position and interferring with play.
Credit: PA
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Try disallowed
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TMO review in progress
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Try – Blair Murray (Wales)
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Wales 0-7 England
7. Wales need an immediate response in this match now.
Last weekend, they were not at the races in the first-half against Scotland.
However, a superb second-half display almost saw them get something out of the game at Murrayfield.