Fly Half George Ford was England’s saviour today, as he orchestrated a 19-17 comeback win over Wales at Twickenham Stadium. England fought back after ill-discipline dropped them to 12 men. Ford stepped up to take the reigns for the match-winning penalty, after Owen Farrell was sent off.
Farrell could now be looking at a lengthy ban, which could see him out of action for the opening matches of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. England’s campaign begins on the 9th September against Argentina, with Farrell at risk of missing early pool stage action, after he has previously been sent to the RFU’s tackle school.
It was yellow card chaos in the second half at Twickenham Stadium, in the return match between England and Wales in the 2023 Summer Nations Series. England were able to defy the odds despite at one stage fielding just 12 men, for their first win in their 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up campaign.
MATCH REPORT: ENGLAND 19-17 WALES
With Warren Gatland making 20 changes ahead of this game, and Borthwick too selecting eleven new personnel from last weekend, it was surprising to see the first half once again reduced to a low-scoring kicking contest. Just six points were scored in the first forty minutes, all in favour of the hosts at Twickenham Stadium.
The deadlock over the try-lines could not be broken in the early stages, with resolute defending standing strong for both defensive lines. The opening points of the half came following Wales back-rower Dan Lydiate’s foul play at the breakdown.
After being unable to push Wales over their try-line at the rolling maul, Owen Farrell went to the tee to slot the opening penalty after nine minutes. Wales suffered an early injury set-back, as their match day captain hooker Dewi Lake hobbled off the pitch after 26 minutes, and was replaced by Osprey’s front rower Sam Parry.
England winger Henry Arundell joined Lake on the side-lines shortly after, as the Racing 92 man was sent to the sin bin. Arundell failed to give Wales fullback Liam Williams the necessary 10 metres, after the Kubota Spears man called the mark on a high ball. Borthwick also re-called scrum half Jack van Poortvliet early than expected following an ankle injury, with his Leicester Tigers mentor Ben Youngs replacing him after just 31 minutes.
Owen Farrell wrapped up the first half with his second unanswered penalty. The 6-0 half-time score-line highlighted how this match was for the purists, with lovers of defensive strengths getting their fill. However, after the disappointing result in Cardiff, the Twickenham faithful had a buzz of frustration about them after a try-less first forty minutes.
Farrell started off England’s second half-point scoring straight from the off, as Wales flanker Tommy Reffell was sent to the sin bin for illegal actions in the breakdown. Farrell slotted his third penalty, and tied Marcus Smith’s kicking record from last weekend in Cardiff. Wales soon responded with their first points coming from the boot of Owen Williams. Wales fly half sent the ball ricocheting in off the post five minutes after the re-start.
Just four minutes after coming off the bench for his milestone 50th cap, England’s vice captain Ellis Genge was sent to the sin bin. Genge was deemed to be engaging early in the scrum, and was sent back to the bench after 57 minutes, before he was soon joined by more of his England teammates.
Fullback Freddie Steward soon got his marching orders, after tackling Wales winger Josh Adams in the air. Adams rose high to claim Dan Biggar’s cross-field kick, yet was caught mid-air by the Leicester Tigers man, this sent Steward off, as Wales took the lead by way of a penalty try.
England’s ill-discipline continued soon after, with captain Owen Farrell introduced to the new ‘Off Field Review’ system. The Saracen led with his shoulder, and made contact to the head of Taine Basham. Farrell was initially awarded a yellow card, but this was bumped up, after being subsequently reviewed off-the-field for a red card. England’s captain could well now face a lengthy ban, putting Borthwick’s plans up in the air for the Rugby World Cup opener against Argentina.
Wales instantly took advantage of the three-man advantage, and cut England’s weakened defence apart. Scrum half Tomos Williams ran a supportive line, and was clean through to score to stretch Wales’ lead. England then soon rallied back, with a true demonstration of grit with the odds stacked against them. Ford pinned Wales back for a 5m line-out, with the following rolling maul featuring all but one of England’s on-field players, with Maro Itoje grounding the 11-man maul.
Twickenham erupted after George Ford’s cross-field kick was caught mid-air by Joe Marchant in the far corner, yet the try was ruled out with just five minutes left on the clock. However, in a sign of things to come with Ford at the helm, the Sale Sharks man took charge when it mattered most. He was able to slot the match-winning penalty, to secure England’s comeback triumph over Warren Gatland’s Wales.
ENGLAND: 19
TRIES: 1 (Itoje 68′)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Ford 68′)
PENALTIES: 4 (Farrell 9′, 40′, 41′, Ford 75′,)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 4 (Arundell 31′, Genge 57′, Steward 59′, Farrell (Off Field Review) 63′,
RED CARDS: 1 (Farrell 63′)
STARTING XV: 15. Freddie Steward 14. Henry Arundell 13. Joe Marchant 12. Ollie Lawrence 11. Elliot Daly 10. Owen Farrell 9. Jack van Poortvliet 1. Joe Marler 2. Jamie George 3. Will Staurt 4. Maro Itoje 5. George Martin 6. Courtney Lawes 7. Ben Earl 8. Billy Vunipola
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Theo Dan 17. Ellie Genge 18. Dan Cole 19. Jonny Hill 20. Jack Willis 21. Ben Youngs 22. George Ford 23. Max Malins
WALES: 17
TRIES: 2 (Penalty Try 59′, T. Williams 64′)
CONVERSIONS: 1 (Biggar 64′)
PENALTIES: 1 (O. Williams 45′,)
DROP GOALS: 0
YELLOW CARDS: 2 (Reffell 41′, Beard 74′)
RED CARDS: 0
STARTING XV: 15. Liam Williams 14. Josh Adams 13. Joe Roberts 12. Nick Tompkins 11. Tom Rogers 10. Owen Williams 9. Tomos Williams 1. Gareth Thomas 2. Dewi Lake 3. Tomas Francis 4. Rhys Davies 5. Adam Beard 6. Dan Lydiate 7. Tommy Reffell 8. Taine Plumtree
REPLACEMENTS: 16. Sam Parry 17. Kemsley Mathias 18. Dillon Lewis 19. Christ Tshiunza 20. Taine Basham 21. Gareth Davies 22. Dan Biggar 23. Keiran Williams