The age-old rivalry between England and Wales is re-ignited this weekend, in the first of two back-to-back Rugby World Cup Warm-Up matches. These two sides have met on 139 separate occasions, with plenty of exciting clashes to look back on throughout their storied history.
England currently edge ahead of Wales in all-time wins, with 67 triumphs to Wales' 60. The Home Nation rivals have drawn on 12 occasions, and England currently hold the bragging rights with their 20-10 win in the 2023 Six Nations.
After the matches in Cardiff (August 5th) and Twickenham (August 12th), Wales will become England's joint-most battle tested opponent. After their 141st meeting, they will tie level with Scotland for most matches, and could well be set to elapse this in the knock-out stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
If all goes to plan for Steve Borthwick's and Warren Gatland's sides, they are due a re-union in either the quarter-final or semi-final of the upcoming competition. However before then, England will make the trip across the Severn Bridge, with pride well and truly on the line in tomorrow's clash at the Principality Stadium.
Here are 5 of the most memorable meetings between England and Wales.
1. England 16 - 12 Wales: 1974 Five Nations Championships
Following a decade of dominance in the Welsh golden era, England pulled off a shocking upset in the 1974 Five Nations Championship. Heading into the match, Wales held an undefeated streak against their old enemy, which stretched back to 1963. The likes of Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams and Phil Bennett began to run roughshod on England once again, and established a healthy lead, before the tide turned for an unexpected victory.
England found their way to the try line through the late, great, David Duckham, in a performance so good he was embraced by Welsh fans with the nickname 'Dai.' Andrew Ripely added a try of his own, before Alan Old's subsequent conversions and duo of penalties won the match, and dashed Welsh hopes for the Five Nations title.
2. England 3 - 16 Wales: 1987 Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final
The knock-out stages of the inaugural Rugby World Cup featured a Home Nations clash, with Wales showcasing a new generation after sending off their farewells to the stars of their Golden Era. However, Wales outperformed expectations, and despatched of England in their first ever Rugby World Cup meeting. This 'Battle of Brisbane' witnessed three unanswered tries in favour of Wales, with back-row Gareth Roberts kick-starting the scoring for his second try of the competition.
This was followed up by former Wales record appearance holder (54 caps) Robert Jones, with the scrum half extending daylight between the old enemies. Cross-code footballer John Devereaux added the third and final Welsh try, with Paul Thorburn adding the extras from the tee. The best England could muster was three points from the boot of Jonathan Webb, as Welsh defence held strong for the duration.
Wales were subsequently eliminated in the semi-final by New Zealand, as the All Blacks sent a formidable message of intent with a 49-6 landslide. New Zealand then went on to become the first ever Rugby World Cup champions, yet Wales remember the competition best for their triumph over England.
3. England 28 - 17 Wales: 2003 Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final
Returning the favour some 16 years later, England and Wales again met in the quarter-final stage of the Rugby World Cup, with England this time coming out on top. This 2003 tournament has gone down in English rugby folklore, with the triumph over Wales occurring along the way to England's one and only Rugby World Cup title to date.
Once again taking centre stage in the heart of Queensland, the second iteration of the 'Battle of Brisbane' brought this inter-twining rivalry back to Australia. Wales kept the match competitive, as tries from Stephen Jones, Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams made England fight tooth and nail for their place in the next round.
Jonny Wilkinson led from the front for England, as the hot-shot talisman slotted six penalties, converted Will Greenwood's solo try of the match, and put all doubt aside with his 80th minute drop goal. This sent England marching on, and capped off another chapter within their long told Rugby World Cup story.
4. Wales 30 - 3 England: 2013 Six Nations Championships
Honourable Mention: England 60-26 Wales: 1998 Five Nations Championships
An honourable mention is in order for England's all-time record victory over Wales, as the 60-26 win in the 1998 Five Nations saw the floodgates well and truly open. This win saw England take home the accolade of being the first team to record a 50+ points tally in the Five Nations Championship, as well as that year's Triple Crown title.
However, the included record-setting win, is Wales' greatest ever triumph over England, due to the match holding more significance than the aforementioned shut-out. England's opening round defeat to France handed the 1998 Grand Slam title to Les Bleus, with much more on the line in the 2013 Six Nations final round meeting.
Wales had the unprecedented opportunity to become back-to-back Six Nations Champions, a feat that they had only last achieved as far back as the 1978 and 1979 Five Nations. England were out to spoil the occasion, as they eyed up a Grand Slam of their own in the final round of the 2013 tournament. After a cagey first 40 minutes, Alex Cuthbert scored twice early in the second half, as the English heads dropped.
The following record-setting win was in no end boosted by the cacophony of noise, with the Principality Stadium said to have been shaking from the frenzy of Welsh supporters. Leigh Halfpenny added four penalties for more breathing space, before Dan Biggar took over kicking duties with a penalty, conversion and a drop goal to retain the historic title.
5. England 25 - 28 Wales: 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A
Once the pools were confirmed for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, England fans across the country identified this match as the one to win. With the added caveat of home soil pride, 81,000 fans packed into Twickenham Stadium to witness Wales pull out all the stops, and ruin the day for Stuart Lancaster's England side.
A kicking match ensued for the first quarter of the match, with the now famous 'Dan Biggar shuffle' squaring off against Owen Farrell's calm and consistent penalties. Flying winger Jonny May drew first blood over the try-line, as Twickenham erupted for a 13-6 lead. However, England's poor discipline would prove pivotal, as Biggar slot seven penalty opportunities, to keep his side within one score.
That crucial score came in the 71st minute, with scrum half Gareth Davies awarded the honour. However, all credit must go to Llyod Williams, the scrum half stationed out on the wing, Williams' iconic left-footed chip kick split the English defence, and allowed Davies to score the all important try. Dwindling English hope then turned to the pool stage match with Australia, yet the Wallabies ran riot for a 33-13 triumph.
The soon to be Rugby World Cup finalists secured England's fate, as they became the first host nation to be eliminated from the Rugby World Cup in the pool stages.
