Wales vs England LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations grudge match in Cardiff

Wales face England in a vital Six Nations clash after the most tumultous week.

The Cardiff roar will be key as the Red Rose come into the Principality Stadium eager to heap more misery on Warren Gatland and the Welsh rugby crisis.

The strike avoided at the last minute, Gatland will need to conjure up some joy on the pitch off the back of a big defeat to Scotland last time out.

England are up and running under Steve Borthwick after brushing off Italy at Twickenham, but this hostile atmosphere could yet expose the character of a work in progress.

Follow all the action from Cardiff below:

Six Nations - Wales vs England

• England edge past Wales 20-10 in a scrappy Six Nations clash

• FULL-TIME! Wales 10-20 England

• 75’ - TRY! Patience from England rewarded with Lawrence going over out wide (WAL 10-20 ENG)

• 45’ - TRY! Sinckler burrows over from close range (WAL 10-15 ENG)

• 42’ - TRY! Rees-Zammit intercepts and races clear to put Wales ahead (WAL 10-8 ENG)

• 18’ - TRY! Great finish in the corner by Watson (WAL 0-8 ENG)

• Six Nations 2023: Full fixtures, results, schedule and TV channel guide

• Six Nations bonus points system explained

F/T: Wales 10-20 England

18:39 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales will try to take the positives but without Louis Rees-Zammit’s intercept score, it would have looked rather ugly after another attacking misfire. England weren’t great, but didn’t necessarily have to be.

F/T: Wales 10-20 England

18:37 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It was gritty, it was grim, and it was predictably kick-heavy, but ultimately it is England who emerge from a Cardiff scrap with the win. This was clearly a contest between two flawed sides, but English wins in Wales are not won easily, and Steve Borthwick’s developing team do deserve credit for gutsing it out to get the win.

Wales plunge into further bother - three defeats from three.

FULL TIME! WALES 10-20 ENGLAND

18:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales 10-20 England, 79 minutes

18:30 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Into the final throes with Wales in possession. Not for long! - Nick Tompkins cannot believe the decision of Mathieu Raynal, and Louis Rees-Zammit demands an explanation, too, after England are awarded a scrum having held up a Welsh carrier on the right.

A raft of changes for England, emptying their bench with the game won - enter messrs Arundell, Smith and Walker.

Wales 10-20 England, 77 minutes

18:28 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Farrell took every second he could over that conversion, wisely given the circumstances. Maro Itoje takes the restart under significant pressure.

Freddie Steward earns the sponsor’s honours for player of the match - he hasn’t dazzled, but nor has anyone really, and the full-back’s his general solidity under the high ball and intelligent injections into the line have probably tilted things England’s way.

TRY! Wales 10-20 ENGLAND (Ollie Lawrence try, 75 minutes)

18:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That ought to do it!

Alex Mitchell has injected that extra bit of fizz that England need, challenging the fringes to keep the guards honest.

His half-snipe sucks in an already flailing Welsh wide defence, allowing Henry Slade to cut through. The locks do the clearing work, Mitchell’s service is good and Freddie Steward puts in Ollie Lawrence on the wide outside.

Owen Farrell can’t convert, but it’s a long way back for Wales from here.

Wales 10-15 England, 74 minutes

18:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Still England in control, though. Freddie Steward wins a collision on Owen Farrell’s shoulder, and again combines with his captain two phases later, this time on the fly-half’s inside.

Messy ruck ball slows things down, but Wales are beginning to narrow.

Wales 10-15 England, 73 minutes

18:23 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England are moving nearer and nearer to putting Wales awway but still the hosts stay in it! A lineout overthrow gifts the ball to Ben Curry, and England spread it, but Henry Slade’s through kick has travels too far for a chasing Max Malins to attempt to retrieve it.

Alex Mitchell replaces Jack van Poortvliet.

Wales 10-15 England, 72 minutes

18:21 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An error from Leigh Halfpenny, but Justin Tipuric ensures England do not capitalise! A swirling high punt completely bamboozles the Wales full back, but as Lewis Ludlam spins out of a tackle, Tipuric is there to busy the breakdown with precision and earn a holding on call.

Wales 10-15 England, 70 minutes

18:20 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A loose pass and Ollie Lawrence has it! Wales might have numbers on the right but they are slow to spread, and a pass travels in front of a couple of forwards and hits the deck.

Lawrence snatches it up, but can’t get away. Nick Tompkins appears to have locked over the ball in perfect position but is deemed not to have showed a clear release. Advantage is called over as Jack van Poortvliet kicks into the Welsh in-goal and Louis Rees-Zammit touches down.

Wales 10-15 England, 69 minutes

18:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Owens takes leave, replaced by Bradley Roberts, and Kieran Hardy joins the hooker in the arrivals lounge - Tomos Williams sits down.

England bring on Courtney Lawes for Alex Dombrandt. Lewis Ludlam goes to number eight.

Wales 10-15 England, 68 minutes

18:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ken Owens is still chugging along, carrying with gusto on the right. Wales kick possession away on the left...but are granted it back by a horrible sliced punt from Jack van Poortvliet, who was a couple of metres outside his 22.

Wales 10-15 England, 67 minutes

18:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England seem to already be in full shut down mode, kicking anything and everything away to avoid giving Welsh jackalers even a sniff.

But here come Wales! Freddie Steward is beaten in the air and Nick Tompkins brushes off a tackler.

Wales 10-15 England, 66 minutes

18:15 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Kyle Sinckler limps off with Dan Cole in on the England tighthead.

England turn Welsh ball over in midfield, allowing Owen Farrell to thmp clear. Superb work from Ben Curry on the deck, in sharply like a wading bird spying a minnow among the reeds.

Wales 10-15 England, 65 minutes

18:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cries of English frustration as another aerial error grants Wales a scrum in the visitors half. The edges might just be starting to fray on this game, with the handling errors now coming more and more regularly.

Wales 10-15 England, 63 minutes

18:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alun Wyn Jones jackals strongly to lift the crowd and earn Wales a penalty.

That’s his final involvement - the veteran makes way for the prodigious Daffyd Jenkins, while Tommy Reffell replaces Christ Tshiunza. Wales lose a little lineout length but Reffell’s breakdown prowess could well be useful.

Missed penalty! Wales 10-15 England, 62 minutes

18:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This isn’t the easiest for Farrell, wide of the 15-metre line and some distance out, and it is a slightly tentative strike from the fly half, pushing it away to the right. Might these misses be costly for the visitors?

Wales 10-15 England, 61 minutes

18:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mathieu Raynal peeps for a free kick and then returns to his whistle for a longer blast - that’s the second time Wales have put weight on early, upgrading the offence to a penalty.

Owen Farrell will look to extend England’s lead.

Wales 10-15 England, 59 minutes

18:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A more aggresive grubber from Henry Slade takes a nasty hop on Leigh Halfpenny, cleanly cutting a line right up and over the full-back’s nose, but it fails to settle thereafter, hopping, skipping and leaping through the back of the in-goal.

Wales will have the scrum on their own ten-metre. Ben Curry replaces Jack Willis in the England back row.

Wales 10-15 England, 58 minutes

18:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Fear not, frustrated England fans - your side still don’t mind a slightly aimless stab in behind when seemingly in good attacking position, as Jack van Poortvliet shows here. Christ Tshiunza covers; Wales clear.

Wales 10-15 England, 57 minutes

18:05 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steals both ways. Ollie Lawrence runs the hard line, as he is wont to, but England fail to resource a ruck properly, enabling Taulupe Faletau to get in over the ball.

Owen Farrell answers with a turnover of former Saracens colleague Carre, and with everything resembling an impressionist’s easel, Mathieu Raynal whistles play to a halt. England’s scrum.

Wales 10-15 England, 56 minutes

18:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More aerial joy for England, advancing up the left from a Welsh fumble into touch.

Wales swap their props - Gareth Thomas has been struggling for the last few minutes and cuts a very sore figure as he and a medic traipse towards the touchline; Tomas Francis is moving rather better but done for the evening, too.

Rhys Carre and Dillon Lewis are straight into the fray at scrum time.

Wales 10-15 England, 55 minutes

18:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Changes for both sides, and on come the two individuals we flagged at half time introduced. Mako Vunipola’s extended warm-up was to prepare the prop to step in for Ellis Genge, while Dan Biggar replaces Owen Williams.

Also on for Wales is Nick Tompkins, with Mason Grady’s debut done. Solid enough from the centre, who you feel should have plenty more opportunities in a Welsh shirt.

Wales 10-15 England, 55 minutes

18:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Two Welshmen receive brief treatment, Owen Williams one of them after a firm landing atop Anthony Watson after the two contested aerially.

Again both sets of players cast their eyes upwards into the Cardiff skies, with Wales knocking on near the touchline.

Wales 10-15 England, 53 minutes

17:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Another free kick against England at the scrum as both front rows battle to get their set-up right. England take the resulting skyward lift securely.

Less so that one! Anthony Watson misreads the flight and Jack van Poortvliet has to drop on the loose ball.

Wales 10-15 England, 51 minutes

17:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack van Poortvliet box kicks slightly shallowly, but good work from the chasers means it ends up back in England hands. Ollie Chessum is driven back, but Christ Tshiunza had knocked on during the aerial contest.

Here’s that Kyle Sinckler score - it was given on the field, so Mathieu Raynal must have spotted a grounding, even if one isn’t totally apparent:

Wales 10-15 England, 47 minutes

17:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Neither side has been truly on top at the scrum today, but it’s been pretty messy throughout regardless. After a reset, Mathieu Raynal takes a pause between each instruction in a bid to deliver some stability, and England can’t resist driving early.

Wales tap and explore the leftward edge, but Leigh Halfpenny is handled and England win a breakdown penalty.

Wales 10-15 England, 47 minutes

17:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales work phases on halfway, Mason Grady winning a collision but to little ultimate gain. Tomos Williams thus drops ball on to right toe, lifting a box in behind Anthony Watson, who beats a chasing Louis Rees-Zammit with a nifty pivot towards the touchline.

England threaten up the tramlines but Ollie Lawrence’s offload drifts forward. Wales scrum on the ten-metre line.

TRY! Wales 10-15 ENGLAND (Kyle Sinckler try, 45 minutes)

17:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England answer! A penalty from the restart and immediately they can attack inside the Welsh 22. The visitors trust their forwards and Kyle Sinckler delivers, just about smuggling the ball to ground as he topples over the line with muscular support from a mate.

Owen Farrell converts - just how Steve Borthwick would have wanted his team to respond to that soft concession of the try.

TRY! WALES 10-8 England (Louis Rees-Zammit try, 41 minutes)

17:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

INTERCEPTED! You aren’t catching Louis Rees-Zammit!

A horrible moment for Max Malins, double-clutching fatally. The wing pauses before passing at the line, waiting to pull the trigger until Rees-Zammit is right there to snare it.

He takes cleanly, and from there the conclusion is foregone. The conversion pushes Wales into their first lead of the evening.

Second half underway

17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Owen Farrell restarts proceedings.

H/T: Wales 3-8 England

17:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Intriguingly, Mako Vunipola is out doing an extended early warm up for England at half time, with all of Wales’ replacements out on the Principality surface with him. Vunipola is soon joined by his England bench pals - Steve Borthwick stressed this week how disappointed he was with how England faded in the final quarter against Italy, so their involvement may be key.

Wales have plenty of quality among their substitutes, though - you fancy this might be the sort of day for Dan Biggar...

H/T: Wales 3-8 England

17:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A stat that perhaps explains some of Wales’ struggles in that first half - England have made 12 dominant tackles so far to the hosts’ one. The lack of collision winners up front remains a concern for Warren Gatland.

H/T: Wales 3-8 England

17:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

This score showed the potential of England’s attack - multitudinous threats off first phase causing issues for the Welsh inside defence, and then sweeping around the corner quickly to ensure the chance was taken.

H/T: Wales 3-8 England

17:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A bitty half that rather summed up where two flawed sides are. England had the better of it, threatening at times in attack with smart, sharp handling, but faded a little and still inaccurate with their basics too often. Wales have stuck in the fight and grew into the action, but you can’t say it is a surprise that the hosts have again missed a handful of chances in the opposition 22. They just look short of carrying punch when required to build on a few cutting breaks.

Five points is no margin at all, though, really - still very much anyone’s game.

HALF TIME! WALES 3-8 ENGLAND

17:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Wales 3-8 England, 41 minutes

17:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Louis Rees-Zammit has roamed a lot so far today, often into the channel outside Mason Grady. Jack van Poortvliet manages to haul him down this time.

But where is Gareth Thomas going? Cutting a line up the centre like his namesake used to! The prop is felled ten metres out.

England scrambling, Wales building...penalty to the visitors! Lewis Ludlam with a timely jackal to force Adam Beard to hold on, and that’s that for the first 40.

Wales 3-8 England, 40 minutes

17:27 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England try to run out the remainder of the half by burying the ball in the mass of the maul, but neither gain momentum nor keep control, enabling Wales to stall it and bring it legally to floor to earn a scrum feed.

Wales 3-8 England, 38 minutes

17:26 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Penalty to England! “Great job Alex” roars Owen Farrell, saluting the work of Alex Dombrandt, but Ollie Lawrence was right there, too as a Welsh pick-and-goer rather went on his lonesome.

Wales 3-8 England, 36 minutes

17:25 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A better sustained attacking effort from Wales, challenging England with ball movement to defeat the visitors line speed.

Louis Rees-Zammit makes a break! He’s hauled back by the elastic of his shorts but Wales are building into the England 22...

Missed penalty! Wales 3-8 England, 32 minutes

17:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Away to the right! A disappointed toss of the tee from Farrell to one of England’s backroom team. That’s four errors from the boot in the first half-hour or so for the fly-half, two missed opportunities for points alongside a charged down clearance and over-cooked cross-kick.

Wales 3-8 England, 31 minutes

17:18 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack van Poortvliet lifts his arms in victory - I’m not quite sure how much the scrum half contributed to the penalty at the set-piece, but Mathieu Raynal is certain that Gareth Thomas’ bind on the loosehead was long. Ken Owens argues, but Raynal won’t be changing his mind.

Owen Farrell will have a go for goal from right of centre, 40 metres out...

Wales 3-8 England, 29 minutes

17:17 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jamie George’s lineout doesn’t click, though, and England therefore can’t launch any kind of attack.

Wales 3-8 England, 27 minutes

17:14 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Very strong defence from England. Their forwards lead the defensive blitz, winning three or four successive collisions, with Kyle Sinckler and Maro Itoje providing a thorough manhandling of Alun Wyn Jones. A Welsh clearer comes in at the side to secure the ball soon after - penalty to the visitors.

Wales 3-8 England, 26 minutes

17:12 , Harry Latham-Coyle

More like it, and England are able to play away. Ollie Lawrence crashes into ex-Worcester teammate Owen Williams, which opens the space for England to kick long.

Vintage Leigh Halfpenny! Calm take, dart into space, and Wales are on the attack. Penalty to the hosts - and Tomos Williams is in no mood to dally, off and away with a quick tap.

Wales 3-8 England, 25 minutes

17:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

An unplayable ruck 30 metres from the England line will allow the front rows another chance to tangle. Jack van Poortvliet waits to feed, and waits some more as referee Mathieu Raynal orders a reset. Jamie George inspects his studs, scraping away the turf caught between them; Justin Tipuric does likewise.

They’ll do it all over again in the hope of a steadier set.

Wales 3-8 England, 23 minutes

17:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s another moment of uncharacteristic inaccuracy from Owen Farrell - a club or two too many for that length of approach shot, a crossfield kick cutting flatly through the Cardiff evening air and out on the full by some distance.

PENALTY! WALES 3-8 England (Leigh Halfpenny penalty, 22 minutes)

17:08 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off comes the scrum cap, over go the points - a familiar image as Halfpenny hits his mark. Wales up and running.

Wales 0-8 England, 20 minutes

17:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

That’s a bit of a coach killer - England immediately infringe, Jamie George sealing off at the first ruck after the restart.

Leigh Halfpenny will hope to get the hosts’ scoring underway.

TRY! Wales 0-8 ENGLAND (Anthony Watson try, 19 minutes)

17:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A brilliant England try!

It’s outstanding attacking interplay from the visitors, cutting up the centre initially before finishing the job out wide. Max Malins attacks from a withheld position off the blindside wing, taking Owen Farrell’s inside ball and smuggling it into space. Ollie Lawrence might have been away with a better pass infield from Malins, Lawrence’s tumble perhaps also aided by an early tug of his shirt.

It matters not, though, as England work the hands to exploit an under-resourced Welsh defence to the left, Alex Dombrandt producing the final miss pass to put Anthony Watson in. The wing marks his first start in an England shirt in nearly two years with a gleeful leap into the corner.

Wales 0-3 England, 17 minutes

17:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Leigh Halfpenny is given a healthy tonking by Anthony Watson, weighting his kick perfectly to enable the wing to have a burly inspection of the Wales full-back’s ribs.

Christ Tshiunza strides up the left, but loses control of his handle on the ball as he tries to free his long limbs for an offload.

Wales 0-3 England, 16 minutes

17:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Real threat from England in phase play. Ollie Lawrence hits a crash ball hard on Alex Dombrandt’s shoulder, and sharp handling from the backs puts Anthony Watson into space on the outside.

Wales cover across well, though, and regather rather swifter than England’s forwards, who crash around the corner in a muddle and are penalised for obstruction. Jack van Poortvliet couldn’t quite generate the swift ball the forwards thought they had to charge on to, causing the issue.

Wales 0-3 England, 15 minutes

17:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Lewis Ludlam takes the plaudits of his teammates as he works hard to earn a breakdown penalty from the goalline dropout.

Wales 0-3 England, 14 minutes

16:59 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mason Grady really does have a presence about it, all stomping muscluar intent as he strides again to the outside shoulder. His pass to Josh Adams, playing on the left wing but wearing 14, forces a stall, and Freddie Steward dots down Adams’ kick through in his own in goal.

Wales 0-3 England, 13 minutes

16:58 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Jack van Poortvliet is defeated by the spin of the ball, but his Leicester chum Freddie Steward is there to cover his teammate’s error.

Owen Farrell sends the full back off in pursuit of his latest high hoist, but Wales defuse it effectively.

Tomos Williams answers with one of his own, and Louis Rees-Zammit snares it!

PENALTY! Wales 0-3 ENGLAND (Owen Farrell penalty, 10 minutes)

16:56 , Harry Latham-Coyle

All of 45 metres for Owen Farrell, but centrally positioned, and thus not overly troublesome. England on the board first.

Wales 0-0 England, 8 minutes

16:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Joe Hawkins wins the gainline firmly with a hard, straight charge. His centre partner Mason Grady shows his footballing side, dribbling a grubber up the left, but Freddie Steward’s positioning is again sound.

Ollie Chessum rides a low tackle from Gareth Thomas, and Wales then fail to vacate a midfield ruck after Ellis Genge had toted the ball. Owen Farrell beckons the tee on.

Wales 0-0 England, 6 minutes

16:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Until then! A slightly loose ruck from the visitors and Wales are in to scavenge on the scraps, nicking the ball to clear up beyond halfway. Sharp work from Taulupe Faletau, spotting a ball left exposed and stealing it from Jack van Poortvliet.

Still the ball remains in though in a sapping series. England explore the right, Lewis Ludlam making a half-break as a retreating defender is forced to leave him alone. Back to the left...knocked on. A welcome pause for two fatiguing sets of forwards, who will pack down for a scrum.

Wales 0-0 England, 5 minutes

16:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But this is a bit of a worrying start for the hosts, struggling to clear twice and inviting pressure. Ollie Lawrence is taken at the chest by Christ Tshiunza but Max Malins skips between two tacklers to mkae ground up the right. England building well.

Wales 0-0 England, 4 minutes

16:50 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Mathieu Raynal’s peep is swift and sharp - Wales lend too much weight too soon, and are free kicked.

Owen Farrell looks to the heavens, and sends the ball to them, the ball bouncing in a perilous position for the hosts, but ultimately into Welsh hands.

Wales 0-0 England, 3 minutes

16:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Energy and excitement from the home crowd as Louis Rees-Zammit threatens the outside arc beyond Henry Slade, the England centre just getting enough of the rapid wing as he enters full flow.

English hands then knock on a Welsh tip-on at the line. Wales’ scrum on halfway.

Wales 0-0 England, 2 minutes

16:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steward hustles back to end the danger, but that’s a nervy start from the England fly-half, who looked rather ponderous.

Van Poortvliet kicks smartly for touch once more.

Wales 0-0 England, 1 minute

16:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

A safe exit from England, Jack van Pootvliet clearing well up the right.

Wales go to the air from their first possession, testing Freddie Steward, who takes strongly.

Charged down! Owen Farrell takes far too long over a laborous clearing attempt and Taulupe Faletau blocks it!

KICK OFF!

16:46 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here we go

16:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

England assemble, ready to take the kick off. After a week of meetings, the Welsh squad gather for a final time, tightly together in their own half.

Owen Williams is on starters duties - here we go!

Match Officials

16:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)ARs: Andrew Brace (IRFU) & Pierre Brousset (FFR)TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)

Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau

16:44 , Harry Latham-Coyle

In a week that it seemed like we may not hear it at all, that’s an awfully pleasing singing of “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau”, rising and dipping with the sweetest of sounds until a crescendo to draw the goosebumps.

The Principality is packed to the rafters, and England are in town - it’s a special Welsh day.

Anthems

16:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Plenty of travelling English supporters make themselves known by accompanying “God Save the King”, heard for the first time in an away Six Nations fixture. The visitors’ players bounce along to the final notes - they look up for this.

Wales vs England

16:40 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Before kick off, a period of silence in solidarity with the people of Ukraine a year on from Russia’s invasion.

Wales vs England

16:38 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The rest of the crowd are warmed now as the flamethrowers blow by the touchline. The fireworks fly to welcome the players to the pitch, England all energetic before gathering in their line, the Welsh squad limbering up with a stretch or two before draping arms across shoulders.

Wales vs England

16:35 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The sun is out, too, making it a rather pleasant Cardiff evening with the roof open. Those towards the top of the stand on the city centre side of the ground are being warmed by the February rays - no inclement conditions to worry either side, though we aren’t necessarily expecting too much of extravagance given the state of these two sides and the importance of the fixture.

Wales vs England

16:34 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The England players have disappeared down the tunnel, followed soon after by the Welsh squad. Cardiff has been lively all day, with a throng of people lining the streets from the Principality Stadium up past Cardiff Castle. After a chaotic fortnight, there was an optimistic air to Welsh voices this morning - will all of that pent-up frustration translate into an improved performance on the field?

Alex Dombrandt urges England to silence Cardiff crowd

16:29 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Alex Dombrandt insists England must silence the Principality Stadium crowd if they are to register a first win in Cardiff for six years.

Wales are hoping to recover from heavy defeats by Ireland and Scotland while Steve Borthwick aims to take another step forward in his back-to-basics approach after Italy were dismantled in round two.

It is a pivotal fixture that has the potential to break either side’s Six Nations and former Cardiff Metropolitan University student Dombrandt knows the impact home fans will have on Warren Gatland’s men.

When asked if England planned to silence the crowd, the Harlequins number eight replied: “Definitely. If we can have a good start and get on top early, you never know – the crowd might grow quiet.

“When Wales are on top, the atmosphere can be loud. If the crowd are quiet or not as loud as they usually are, then it means you’re usually doing something right.

“So the more we can nullify their threats and be on top, you’d like to think maybe they’ll be a bit quieter. I have experienced what it’s like on a match day in Cardiff – it’s crazy, it’s carnage – and these are the games you want to be involved in. The atmosphere is going to be electric, it’s going to be loud.

PA

Team News - England

16:24 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Steve Borthwick, meanwhile, looks for continuity – the England head coach makes only one enforced change to the starting XV that beat Italy. That is on the wing, where Anthony Watson is an England starter for the first time in two years with Ollie Hassell-Collins suffering an injury blow. That much talked about midfield three is Farrell/Lawrence/Slade again.

The bench shows two tweaks: Ben Curry’s rollercoaster tournament continues as the Sale flanker takes a place in the 23 having been jettisoned entirely from training only last Sunday, while a fit-again Courtney Lawes might be influential as Borthwick hopes to avoid a repeat of the final-quarter woes that so irked the head coach against Italy.

England XV: Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler; Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum; Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, Alex Dombrandt; Jack van Poortvliet, Owen Farrell; Anthony Watson, Ollie Lawrence, Henry Slade, Max Malins; Freddie Steward.

Replacements: Jack Walker, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Ben Curry; Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell.

Team News - Wales

16:22 , Harry Latham-Coyle

It’s another week of major changes for Wales as Warren Gatland again spins the selection wheel as he strives for the right balance of faces old and new. Back in to the starting side come Tomas Francis, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau to lend all of their experience to the pack.

The kids, meanwhile, will largely busy themselves in the backs. Louis Rees-Zammit is straight back amongst things from the start on the wing while there is a debut for Mason Grady, a very large 20-year-old but with plenty more to offer at centre. Owen Williams may now be in his thirties but his peculiar career means this is his first Test start.

Wales XV: Gareth Thomas, Ken Owens (capt.), Tomas Francis; Adam Beard, Alun Wyn Jones; Christ Tshiunza, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau; Tomos Williams, Owen Williams; Louis Rees-Zammit, Joe Hawkins, Mason Grady, Josh Adams; Leigh Halfpenny.

Replacements: Bradley Roberts, Rhys Carre, Dillon Lewis, Daffyd Jenkins, Tommy Reffell; Kieran Hardy, Dan Biggar, Nick Tompkins.

On to Wales against England...

16:19 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Right, the action never stops on a Six Nations Saturday. The atmosphere is building nicely in Cardiff, with the Principality Stadium starting to fill.

We’ll have plenty more reaction to Ireland’s win over the next couple of days, but now we switch our attention to Wales against England - and what a week of build-up it has been:

It’s game on for Wales – and how England can add to Warren Gatland’s crisis

F/T: Italy 20-34 Ireland

16:16 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Here’s the try that sealed it for Ireland - supreme patience to work through close to 20 phases and finally strike when the space appeared:

F/T: Italy 20-34 Ireland

16:11 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Helter-skelter stuff in Rome. Ireland escape with a bonus point win but Italy again showed their threat, pushing another of the big boys mighty close. On another day, and with more accuracy, that big home win will be theirs - this was ever-so-similar to the performance against France, and again they fall just short.

FULL TIME! ITALY 20-34 IRELAND

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 83 minutes

16:10 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Juan Ignacio Brex wins yet another midfield collision, but James Lowe snatches a pass out of the air...

Is the wing away? No, a heroic last-ditch cover tackle to drag Lowe into touch and send things to a close.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 81 minutes

16:09 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Juan Ignacio Brex is forced back to scoop up a loose ball. Michele Lamaro is forced further back, behind his own line in fact, but Italy are soon awarded a penalty.

That’ll allow an attack from slightly more advanced territory.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 80 minutes

16:07 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Thrown into touch! At least one man over for Ireland, but the handling is inaccurate and James Lowe is left with arms agape some two metres in front of an errant ball.

Italy’s lineout - they could still snatch a losing bonus point, but they’ll have to go 85 metres to do so.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 78 minutes

16:06 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Off trots Ross Byrne to warm applause from the travelling supporters - it hasn’t been exclusively good from the fly half, who might have liked to exert a little more control on proceedings, but the Ireland attack has clicked nicely throughout.

Italy are penalised at a breakdown after Bundee Aki is tackled and Jack Crowley’s first involvement with the boot sets up a lineout 15 metres from the Italian line.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 78 minutes

16:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

And Ireland earn a scrum penalty to all but seal it.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 77 minutes

16:04 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Knocked on! Italy are just snatching at their chances here, knowing they need to score swiftly to have a hope. That haste manifests itself in some handling inaccuracy - three bodies in the same space with the ball bouncing between them after a knock on.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 76 minutes

16:03 , Harry Latham-Coyle

But make a hash of the lineout! A throw to the back doesn’t quite hit the target, and Ireland clear.

Italy battle on, though, and earn a lineout on the opposite side from an intelligently directed toe up the touchline. A converted score here would make things more interesting.

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 74 minutes

16:02 , Harry Latham-Coyle

James Lowe puts Ange Capuozzo firmly on his back with a driving tackle, but Bundee Aki’s cry of “stupid!” betrays a rather silly offence from the centre as he looked to make the most of his colleague’s defensive work.

Italy kick to the Ireland five metre...

Italy 20-34 Ireland, 73 minutes

16:00 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Italy haven’t totally lost hope. Michele Lamaro’s outstretched arms are ready to embrace an offload but his opposite number gets there first, Josh van der Flier in the right place to prevent what looked a promising position for the hosts.

Paolo Garbisi is off, with a great carrier bag full of ice planted on his shoulder. Tommaso Allan will try to engineer an improbable late comeback.

TRY! Italy 20-34 IRELAND (Mack Hansen try, 72 minutes)

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

The dam bursts!

Outstanding continuity from Ireland, biding their time to wait for a gap to appear. Caelan Doris wins the gainline decisively, and Conor Murray extends his arms free, teeing up Mack Hansen to scamper around the posts.

Ross Byrne pops through the extra two.

Italy 20-27 Ireland, 69 minutes

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Patient play from Ireland, phases 16, 17, 18 and onwards they go...

Italy 20-27 Ireland, 68 minutes

15:57 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Ireland keep things simple, rocking back Italian defenders with forthright carries. Stuart McCloskey picks and drives to make five metres; Conor Murray three more in manner akin.

Mack Hansen does dare to dance, skipping by one defender but swiftly brought down.

Italy 20-27 Ireland, 68 minutes

15:55 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Was that Italy’s chance? The hosts shoulders just seem to have sagged slightly as they knock on inside their own half.

Another Ireland score would probably kill it. They’ll feed the scrum on halfway.

Italy 20-27 Ireland, 67 minutes

15:53 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Cries of frustration from the Italian crowd - that looks a chance butchered!

It’s superb to begin with, a delightful inside ball putting new man Giovanni Pettinelli into space.

There’s an overlap, and swift hands look likely to lead to a certain score, but instead the option is to chip across - and Federico Ruzza is aghast as he chases in vain to try and get to it, the lumbering lock not fleet enough of foot to ground before it skips into touch.

Italy 20-27 Ireland, 66 minutes

15:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Conor Murray is brought on for Craig Casey, and Dave Kilcoyne enters in the place of Andrew Porter.

Italy play fast and loose, as they have done all afternoon. Ireland knock an errant Italian pass on.

PENALTY! Italy 20-27 IRELAND (Ross Byrne penalty, 65 minutes)

15:49 , Harry Latham-Coyle

35 metres out, dead centre - simple, straight and true.

Italy 20-24 Ireland, 64 minutes

15:48 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Penalty to Ireland. Johnny Sexton doesn’t look overly pleased alongside Garry Ringrose in the posh seats, but his understudy Ross Byrne will have opportunity to extend the visitors’ lead from the tee.

Italy 20-24 Ireland, 60 minutes

15:47 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Italy battle on, getting back in enough number to defuse a kick from Ireland that appears set to trouble them. A high kick is equally well dealt with.

Italy 20-24 Ireland, 60 minutes

15:45 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Italy certainly won’t die wondering! Off they go from behind their own line, throwing caution (and ball) to the wind with a wide pass.

There barely seems space at all for Juan Ignacio Brex to then release a clearing kick with the Irish defensive line approaching, but the centre does a very good job, finding touch on halfway.

NO TRY! Italy 20-24 Ireland, 59 minutes

15:43 , Harry Latham-Coyle

No try - Bundee Aki lost control on the floor!

It had all looked good for Ireland as Aki rose back to his feet to cover the last two yards to the line, but having been dropped to his knees by a low tackle, the centre lost control briefly. The TMO has three or four more looks at it to make sure, but that is pretty evident - a knock on, no try, and an Italian reprieve.

Try? Italy 20-24 Ireland

15:41 , Harry Latham-Coyle

Sharp handling in the wide confines and Bundee Aki bashes over for his second!

Or does he?...

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