“This is a big win for us, it has been a long wait, and a well deserved victory, ” he said. The 2001 IRB Young player of the year was in confident mood after the match: “I dont feel pressure, the papers have been building up this all week, and I feel we delivered.”
The win will give Mike Ruddock’s men a boost before they travel to Italy next week. But the manner of the defeat will give England head coach Andy Robinson selection headaches ahead of next weekend’s now crucial battle against current Six Nations champions France at Twickenham.
Wales: G Thomas (capt); H Luscombe, T Shanklin, G Henson, S Williams; S Jones, D Peel; G Jenkins, M Davies, A Jones; B Cockbain, R Sidoli; D Jones, M Williams, M Owen
Replacements: R McBryde, J Yapp, J Thomas, R Jones, G Cooper, C Sweeney, K Morgan
Wales: 11
Tries: S Williams
Pens: S Jones, Henson
England: J Robinson (capt); M Cueto, M Tait, J Noon, J Lewsey; C Hodgson, M Dawson; G Rowntree, S Thompson, J White; D Grewcock, B Kay; C Jones, A Hazell, J Worsley
Replacements: A Titterrell, P Vickery, S Borthwick, J Forrester, H Ellis, O Barkley, B Cohen
England: 9
Pens: Hodgson 3
Referee: Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
