England v Wales: Famous Twickenham clashes
Ahead of Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales, we look back at some classic fixtures between the pair.
2002: ENG 50-10 WAL
A first Triple Crown in four years came England’s way with this comprehensive victory, a 30-point haul from Jonny Wilkinson propelling the fly half over the 500-mark in internationals. Will Greenwood also excelled as Wales were engulfed by a five-try avalanche.
It was Wilkinson and Greenwood who combined for the hosts’ opening score after 10 minutes, the former chipping through for his centre to dot down. Three penalties and a drop-goal for England’s No.10 brought a 19-3 half-time lead, and though Iestyn Harris tried manfully – tackling hard and grabbing all of Wales’ points – a rapid Dan Luger brace in the second period completed the thrashing.
2004: ENG 31-21 WAL
World champions England eventually overcame a determined Welsh effort, but not before the visitors had battled back from 16-9 down to take a 21-16 lead. Indebted to a Ben Cohen double and a late score from flanker Joe Worsely, England managed to keep their title hopes alive.
England opened well, Cohen finishing strongly inside six minutes after wrestling away from both Gareth and Jonathan Thomas. A kicking duel between Ollie Barkely and Stephen Jones then ensued, but two fabulous tries from Gareth Thomas – his record-equalling 33rd in Tests – and Mark Taylor brought Wales ahead. A phenomenal turnaround looked possible, before Cohen shunted over from close range to seal victory.
2007: ENG 62-5 WAL
Nick Easter was the main beneficiary of a clinical, comprehensive 62-5 victory over Wales as England geared up to defend their title at Rugby World Cup 2007 in convincing style.
The Harlequins back-rower racked up four of the hosts’ nine tries at Twickenham in August temperatures that touched 30 degrees Celsius.
There were also scores for Steve Borthwick, Lawrence Dallaglio, Shaun Perry and Jason Robinson to punctuate England’s heaviest ever win over ths Welsh, surpassing a 50-10 thrashing five years previously.
Wales replied through wing Daffyd James – one of the stand-outs of the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia in 2001 – but the hosts were rampant and staged a late flurry.
Jonny Wilkinson kicked 17 points to pass 900 in his Test career and looked sharp thanks largely to a dominant performance from his pack.
2008: ENG 19-26 WAL
It appeared as though England would start their Six Nations campaign with a fairly routine triumph, but a spell of 20 unanswered points in only 13 second-half minutes from Wales ended that. Well-taken tries from full back Lee Byrne and scrum half Mike Phillips condemned the home side to defeat and foreshadowed a mixed tournament that included a loss to Scotland but wins over Ireland and France.
Earlier, a try from Toby Flood and 14 points from the boot of Jonny Wilkinson had built a considerable lead for England. However, the hosts were ousted by a string of injuries and some brilliant footwork from Shane Williams and James Hook.
2012: ENG 12-19 WAL
Dreams of a Grand Slam in Stuart Lancaster’s first RBS 6 Nations campaign at the helm came crashing down as Scott Williams’ stunning try captured Wales a Triple Crown that became a clean-sweep in the ensuing weeks.
Despite George North causing havoc early on and Sam Warburton going close – only denied by Manu Tuilagi’s superb tackle – the compelling contest remained locked in a kicking duel between Owen Farrell and Rhys Priestland until the 75th minute.
However, Williams stripped lock Courtney Lawes magnificently in midfield, grubbered through and dived on the ball to break English hearts.
