How England snatched victory at the death against Wales and why this was the greatest escape act yet
How did England extend winning run?
By hook or by crook, England keep finding a way to grind out victories, however improbable or ill-deserved. This was the greatest escape act yet; like breaking out of Alcatraz and robbing Fort Knox the next day.
For long stretches, particularly in the second quarter, Wales were utterly dominant, yet England hung in there. Even when the tide turned in the second half, England’s mistakes kept compounding. But, crucially, they found a way to engineer another chance which was finally taken by Elliot Daly.
Yet again, Jones was indebted to his “finishers”. James Haskell, Jamie George and Ben Te’o all made a huge difference.
Probably the decisive factor was fitness. Wales simply could not maintain the standards that they had set in the first half. Mental sharpness also played a big part with Alex Cuthbert dozing off. That was all the opportunity that Daly needed to secure a breathtaking victory.
Most consecutive Test wins for a Tier One nation
Did England learn lesson from last week?
Short answer no. As fortunate as England were to be drawing 9-9 against France at half-time last week, they were even luckier just to be 13-8 down at the interval at the Principality Stadium after another slow start.
In the second quarter, Paul Gustard’s defence had to absorb wave after wave of Welsh attack. Rhys Webb came up just short with his dart for the line while Alun Wyn Jones knocked on Webb’s sharp pass with a three-man overlap outside him.
Jones also chose to turn down two penalties that were well within the gimme range for Leigh Halfpenny. A try was all but inevitable and it came with a first-phase move from a scrum finished by the excellent Liam Williams.
England's kicking game was also substandard with several kicks going out on the full, while far too many needless turnovers were coughed up with suspects ranging from Mike Brown to Nathan Hughes. That was partly because of some suffocating Welsh pressure but Eddie Jones will nonetheless be disheartened to see the same recurring mistakes.
How did battle of the back row pan out?
Just as they were in 2013, England’s back row were at threat of being blown away by a Warburton-Tipuric combination which was ably supported by the ferocious ballast of Ross Moriarty.
Jack Clifford, promoted at the expense of Tom Wood, was a non-factor. The Harlequins back-row is a precocious talent but this was like bringing a prize-winning shih tzu to a dogfight. His three touches of the ball resulted in one metre and a turnover.
Maro Itoje and Nathan Hughes also faded after promising starts. Each was on the receiving end of some ferocious Moriarty tackles which further raised the volume inside an already electric Principality Stadium.
Warburton and Tipuric were relentless, combining to make 36 tackles, and were constantly sniffing out isolated English runners to effect turnovers. It was only once James Haskell entered the fray, and Welsh legs began to tire, did the tide turn.
Man of the match
Joe Launchbury
Both of England’s second rows were magnificent, with the BBC awarding the honours to Joe Launchbury, which was just about deserved. After a relatively quiet game by his standards against France, the Wasps lock delivered a super-human effort in Cardiff.
He was the game’s top tackler with 20 and none missed. Yet where he really improved upon last week was in his carrying, coming second only to Nathan Hughes with 18 runs. Lions coach Warren Gatland is blessed with a host of options in the second row, but this performance puts Launchbury firmly in that equation.
What do England need to do next?
Rest and recuperate. The return of George Kruis and, potentially, Mako Vunipola will make a considerable difference as will James Haskell’s increasing match fitness. Italy are the perfect opposition for Jones to potentially ease some of his excellent “finishers” into the side. Haskell, Jamie George and Ben Te’o in particular are deserving of starts.
What do Wales need to do next?
Rebuild and recover. As bitter as defeat will taste this was nonetheless an excellent team performance that they did not quite have the gas to finish. That will concern Rob Howley, given how much Wales pride themselves on their fitness. The Sam Davies question is also likely to grow louder in the coming weeks.
Six Nations 2017 fixtures, dates, kick-off times and TV schedule
