England 23 - 19 Wales
Johnson described England's performance as, "What we wanted as they edged out Wales 23-19. Tries from Samoan born Manu Tuilagi and James Haskell proved enough for England to come out of their first World Cup warm up game victorious.
With the World Cup on our door step, England and Wales play the first of their warm up games before jetting off to New Zealand at the end of the month. These games will give both coaches something to think about as they look to decide on their final 30 players for the World Cup with a number of debutants and fringe players taking to the field.
Johnson awarded a debut to Leicester centre Manu Tuilagi who has been heavily criticised after brutally attacking Northampton's Chris Ashton during their Premiership Semi Final. Matt Stevens returns to the England fold at prop for the first time since 2008 after the start of his ban two years ago. Elsewhere, Saracens Lock Mouritz Botha and Gloucester wing Charlie Sharples are on the bench primed for their test debuts. Lewis Moody returned to captain the side.
Stephen Jones was to become the most capped player for Wales making his 101th appearance, putting him ahead of Gareth Thomas, however an injury in the warm up ruled him out. . Flanker Sam Warburton was handed the captaincy in Matthew Rees absence while Gavin Henson will have to wait to press any World Cup selection claims as Jamie Roberts is preferred to at outside centre. Morgan Stoddart took Priestland's place at Full back.
First Half
The home side signaled their intent from the off as Jonny Wilkinson used his lethal left foot to put Wales into their own 22 straight away. As the visitors tried to work their way out, England were awarded a penalty after the ball was held onto after the challenge. Wilkinson decided to kick for goal, which was ambitious to say the least, bearing in mind he was only just past the half way line. However, he held his nerve and managed to kick it precisely through the posts to put England infront with just over 5 minutes gone. England 3-0 Wales. Although the home side remained in the Wales half for another five minutes, the visitors held there own and power into there opponents 22. Wales then piled on relentless pressure as they inched ever closer to the try line only to be denied by some last ditch tackling from England.
When Wales finally broke through the defence, it was debutant George North who strolled over for the games first try in the 17th minute silencing the home crowd as the ball was played out wide as the visitors had a man over which North capitalised on. Rhys Priestland, Stephen Jones late replacement at fly half duly kicked over to put Wales ahead. England 3-7 Wales. It seemed Wales looked sharp on the counter attack, which payed off when they intercepted a pass only for it to be foiled by full back Delon Armitage who then skipped his way through the opposition defence only to be stopped short of the line. Dramatic stuff. The game became end to end stuff as no team could grab the upper hand half way through the first half.
England then worked there way back into Wales territory after a good attacking kick brought them within metres of the line. The home sides forward momentum continued as James Haskell put England back in it driving over in the 26th minute to the delight of the England fans. Wilkinson did not disappoint with the kick as England regained the lead. England 10-7 Wales. This encounter was proving to be alot more entertaining than when they last met in the Six Nations as the game remained free flowing throughout the first half. Wilkinson then gave England a little more breathing space as he kicked over a drop goal to put the home side six points infront as the half time whistle blew.
Second Half
Like the first half, Wales started slowly and were punished for it by Leicester debutant Manu Tuilagi who touched down under the posts in the 45th minute. Good passing play opened up a gap in the visitors defence which Tuilagi exploited to increase the home sides advantage. Wilkinson added to the score with the conversion. England 20-7 Wales. Wales responded quickly to the try as they started to venture back into England's half putting them under mountains of pressure however, a setback occurred when Morgan Stoddart was stretched off with a broken leg, but this did not dampen the visitors forward momentum as Shane Williams then grounded in the 57th minute in what was a carbon copy of the first try. Priestland failed with the conversion attempt. England 20-12 Wales.
England then started to play with less hunger and flare from then on but their were still glimpses of magnificence as Wilkinson delicately kicked wide to Banahan who then grubber kicked it past two defenders and almost latched onto it only for Williams to kick it away. Wilkinson then continued his good day at the office as he kicked his second drop goal of the game. England 23-12 Wales.
Wales dominated the possession and it was only a matter of time until they would break England's lines. Captain Sam Warburton then dived over in the corner to bring Wales back into contention however the video referee deemed it to be no try due to Warburton being in touch before grounding. It wasn't long before the visitors were over again as winger George North went over in the corner four minutes from time, scoring his second try of the game. Priestland added to the scoreboard with the conversion. England 23-19 Wales. Wales continued piling on the pressure but England managed to hold on to win by a slender four points. England 23-19 Wales.
Full Time
Gatland explained how their play improved as the match went on which is a very good sign especially the introduction of George North who looks a promising winger for the future. He also said, "The debutants did fantastically well and made good impact in the game. The players showed good character when they were behind. Overall, Gatland still has alot of work to do in creating a perfect Wales 15.
England may have won on the day but it doesn't hide the fact that after the second try, they were struggling to hold Wales back as they took their foot off the gas. Also, on paper the England team boasted alot more experience and caps with only one debutant whilst Wales had four on show with a team that still needs time to gel. On the other hand, England's work in the maul and the line out proved a devastating weapon as Haskell's try was down to the home side's good work in the maul.
Captain Lewis Moody said how Tuilagi, Wilkinson, Stevens and Shaw all caught his eye during the game through there hard work and good all round play
Man of the Match
Jonny Wilkinson: His consistent and precise kicking controlled the England attacks well and got them out of harm's way when on the back foot.
England
Tries: Tuilagi,
Haskell
Conversions:
Wilkinson (2)
Drop Goals:
Wilkinson (2)
Penalties:
Wilkinson
Wales
Tries: North (2),
Williams
Conversions:
Priestland (2)
