Six Nations 2024: England 16 – 14 Wales – Hosts fight back to win

England overturned another half-time deficit in the Six Nations to narrowly beat a young and energetic Wales side at Twickenham.

Similar to Roma a week earlier, England were behind at half-time as Wales claimed a penalty try and Alex Mann's goal, threatening their first victory since 2015 at Twickenham.

Fraser Dingwall scored from a corner kick to bring England within a point, but George Ford's penalty sealed the victory.

Ford made amends for Ben Earl's failure to score a first-half try.

England's fly-half was adjudged to have initiated a conversion attempt despite not striding towards the ball as Wales rushed to block him, denying him a chance to equalize.

England maintained their lead in the tournament with victory and moved to the top of the Six Nations, while Wales picked up a defeat bonus point and remained in fifth place despite losing their opening two games.

England returned to their home base at Twickenham and were looking to put on their first show since losing to Fiji in a World Cup warm-up match last summer.

Jamie George, in his first home game as captain, promised to put even more effort into the attack, and the team got off to a bright start, true to his word.

Early on, Freddie Steward broke through the line with a furious run and Ford's kick went wide, allowing Rio Dyer to take the ball into touch.

But while the ambition was clear, the last pass appeared to have been avoided.

In contrast, Wales, despite having limited possession, managed to score in his first appearance for the England 22 team and were awarded a penalty try due to continued foul play on the part of the England side, which resulted in Ethan Roots being sent to the sin bin. Ta.

Ben Earl powered over from the base of the scrum before controversy erupted on Ford's conversion attempt. England's number 10 wasn't ready yet, so Wales were forced to contain him and keep him in front.

Tommy Leffell shone brightly for the visiting team as Mann scored his second try at Twickenham for their first half-time lead since 1980 and his sharp line was still trying to adapt to the new blitz England defense. opened his mouth.

England improved significantly after the interval but continued to struggle at the forefront of their attack. The breakthrough came after a knock-on by the usually reliable Josh Adams deep in Wales' half.

The hosts and the partisan crowd could smell the blood and after the forwards hit the red wall, the ball was moved wide and Dingwall scored his first Test try in the corner.

England won despite another sluggish attack, and Ford's second-half penalty completed the comeback.

Head coach Warren Gatland sought to reduce the fear factor at Twickenham in Wales ahead of the short trip east, saying he would “love” visiting the home of English rugby.

Perhaps his words were meant to ease the pressure on a young team led by 21-year-old captain Dafydd Jenkins, as Wales had not won in their last seven away games against their strongest rivals.

Against England's expected onslaught, Wales defended with more resolute determination than they did in their first-half capitulation against Scotland last week, and it looked like it was paying off from the start.

There was little they could do to prevent a rampaging Earl from close range, but they largely kept England at bay for the first 40 minutes.

Things were much the same after the break, with Wales doing little in attack led by rookie fly-half Ioan Lloyd, in his fourth cap, but defensively managing to keep England's lackadaisical attack at bay.

However, Adams' knock-on under the spiral ball proved fatal as Steve Borthwick's side reverted to type and decided to go for an aerial duel with the game running away.

It gave Twickenham and their team a second wind.

With Wales leading by one point but under siege, Mason Grady's deliberate knock-on thwarted England's pursuit, giving Ford the chance to take the penalty from in front of the post, with the veteran fly-half giving the visitors a legitimate chance. punished.