Much was made in the build-up of the intention of both sides to play with an edge, but from the opening minutes it was clear England were sharper and hungrier. When the ball bounced loose, the Wales captain, and talisman, Alun Wyn Jones prepared to fall on it. He was beaten to it by Maro Itoje and that set the tone for the afternoon. Wales kept banging into a white wall while England, never moving the ball for the sake of it, waited for their moment. The home side defended with power and aggression, led by Tom Curry and Courtney Lawes, but as telling was the aplomb they showed in attack, passing crisply and creating space in the way they deployed runners, forcing Wales to defend narrowly. The score was closer than the gap between the sides.
Related: England’s Manu Tuilagi a saint and sinner in narrow defeat of Wales
Related: Scotland make France pay for Mohammed Haouas punch and red card
Continue reading...