Wales 19-26 England
England got their Six Nations campaign off to the perfect start with a dour seven-point victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Chris Ashton scored two tries and Toby Flood kicked 13 points but the England pack were the driving force for Martin Johnson’s side, dominating their Welsh counterparts and providing the platform for victory.
Although the rugby wasn’t easy on the eye throughout, England were clinical and professional and though not quite justifying their tag as favourites for the competition, they will be hard to beat, especially considering that their next three encounters will all be played at Twickenham.
Wales started well, but both Stephen Jones and James Hook, operating at full back, missed early kicks and they were made to pay for their profligacy when Toby Flood sent Chris Ashton over for a touchdown and slotted the resultant conversion and a subsequent penalty to give the visitors a ten-point lead after the first quarter.
Jones kicked two penalties to ease Wales back into the game, but despite losing Lewis Deacon to the bin for ten minutes, England led by seven at half-time after Flood kicked another penalty before the break.
Flood and Jones exchanged penalties shortly after half time, but after Wales had Craig Mitchell sent to the bin, England took full advantage when Ashton cross for his second try of the night and after Flood converted, England had a 14-point advantage with little over 20 minutes remaining.
Wales needed a score fast and they got it with a try from winger Morgan Stoddart on the hour mark. Jones added the extras and Wales were back in it.
James Hook added another penalty to reduce the gap to four points with ten minutes remaining, but Jonny Wilkinson, on as a substitute for the injured Flood, tacked on another penalty before the end to restore England’s seven-point lead, which they managed to hold on to and claim what could be an important win come the end of the competition.
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