England 23-19 Wales rugby LIVE REACTION: Marcus Smith’s FIVE penalties the difference in tight clash at Twickenham
ENGLAND beat Wales by the narrowest of margins in their Six Nations clash at Twickenham today.
Marcus Smith's five penalties separated the sides in a 23-19 win to give Eddie Jones' side some championship hope heading into the last two games.
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FT: England 23-19 Wales
Injuries have hampered Wales' defence of the title.
The campaign has been a struggle with so many key players injured.
No less than six British and Irish Lions missing due to injury.
Beating France would restore some credibility for Pivac's team.
FT: England 23-19 Wales
After their win today, England now sit second in the table, four points behind France.
They will now be hoping Wales can do them a favour in their next game at home against France.
Should the Welsh cause an upset, it would lead to a final game in Paris to decide the winners of the Guinness Six Nations title.
FT: England 23-19 Wales
That was a great second half for differing reasons.
Wales came to life after gifting England a try and caused the English defence problems time and time again.
England used their lead from the first-half and with Smith's kicking just managed to edge out their opponents.
Wales pay the price for their first-half display.
FT: England 23-19 Wales
The referee awards a penalty to England.
They kick the ball straight into touch and the whistle is blown.
England 23-19 Wales
80+3. It was knocked on by Courtney Lawes.
He is lucky to stay on the pitch, any other time and that is a yellow card.
Wales with one last chance.
England 23-19 Wales
80+2. Wales are penned into their own half, desperate to find a way out.
It is surely a knock-on the Welsh player there.
The referee blows and everyone cheers.
But hang on, the referee's assistant has said an England player was offside.
England 23-19 Wales
80. The ball is fed into the oncoming Hardy who skips over the line.
England cannot put the ball straight out from the restart.
Surely Wales cannot grab victory from the jaws of defeat?
Try - Kieran Hardy (Wales)
England 23-12 Wales
78. Man of the match is Marcus Smith.
With his points tally today, he has been the difference.
Wales with one last chance to get their lineouts right down in the England corner.
England 23-12 Wales
77. Yet again Wales' lineout distribution is poor.
They gift possession back to England.
Chance wasted.
England 23-12 Wales
75. Good tackle by Biggar and George is penalised for not releasing in the tackle.
Biggar goes for touch so Wales can try one last time.
England 23-12 Wales
73. Looking at the scoreline now it certainly doesn't look the close game this has been for so long in this second-half.
Credit where it's due to England they have taken the punches from Wales and managed to land some important ones themselves when things didn't seem to be going their way.
England 23-12 Wales
71. Smith equals his best points tally in a test of 18 points.
England have put enough distance between them and their opponents that there isn't enough time for a comeback now, surely!
Penalty - Marcus Smith (England)
England 20-12 Wales
70. England are probing and keeping the ball in the Welsh half.
Wales are penalised for tackling somebody in the air.
England go for goal.
England 20-12 Wales
68. Important score there for Smith.
It now means that England are two scores away from their opponents.
Penalty - Marcus Smith (England)
England 17-12 Wales
66. From an England attack, Wales break with pace.
Cuthbert with a great run but is then penalised for holding onto the ball as he had no support with him.
Penalty to England.
England 17-12 Wales
63. Those two quick Welsh tries will really make an interesting game of this as we move into the final quarter of the game.
Wales are in touching distance now, a converted try wins it.
England need to find some points more than ever.
England 17-12 Wales
61. Suddenly, this game is back on.
Wales seemed to have woken up.
Great ball to Tompkins who bundles over the line.
Biggar converts.
Try - Tompkins (Wales)
England 17-5 Wales
58. From the Welsh lineout, they gather the ball and a ruck forms looking to drive towards the English line.
It seems the English collapse it and referee is on hand to penalise.
Wales are only metres from the English try line.
England 17-5 Wales
56. England look to strike back straight away.
As the ball is on the floor, Wales turn it over.
They get the ball to Josh Adams and he is off full pelt down the wing.
England 17-5 Wales
54. Brilliant pass from Williams out wide giving the ball to Adams.
All he has to do is catch it and run it over the line.
Wales' conversion goes wide of the posts.
Try - Josh Adams (Wales)
