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.