Wales 21 England 13, Six Nations 2019: Liam Williams stars as second-half comeback sinks England

Warren Gatland celebrated his final Guinness Six Nations match against England with a dramatic 21-13 victory in Cardiff that continues Wales' march towards the Grand Slam.

Second-row Cory Hill forced his way over in the 68th minute after a lengthy period of Welsh resurgence to seize the lead for the first time, his team thriving amid the arrival of replacement fly-half Dan Biggar from the bench to direct the final quarter.

And bedlam ensued at the Principality Stadium in the closing moments when Josh Adams grabbed Biggar's crossfield kicked to touch down and confirm a famous win.

Gatland's first taste of success over opposite number Eddie Jones in four attempts also set a new national record of 12 consecutive victories and was a fitting way to end their Championship rivalry before the Kiwi steps down after the World Cup.

England led 10-3 at half-time and appeared destined to add Wales to their impressive list of emphatic results against Ireland and France, only to come apart at the seams after the interval.

Tom Curry and Kyle Sinckler made 16 tackles each in the first half alone, but it was the 20-year-old Sale openside who really shone in a display of relentless commitment that was headlined by a first-half try.

Sinckler, however, turned villain and left the pitch to a chorus of booing after conceding important penalties for a late tackle and wrestling Alun Wyn Jones around the neck at a point when England were wobbling.

Eddie Jones responded to the second infringement by immediately removing Sinckler and the ill-discipline supported Gatland's pre-match claim that the Harlequins prop is a "time bomb".

His withdrawal coincided with the collapse of his team as rattled England lost their heads.

For the last five Tests England have scored inside the opening three minutes, but at the Principality Stadium they came under ferocious early pressure that even dazed the usually unflappable Owen Farrell.

The tempo accelerated as Wales launched repeated attacks, scragging Farrell as he looked to step his way out of trouble.

But steely composure enabled them to weather the storm and edge upfield, where a scrum penalty allowed Farrell to land three points.

With Courtney Lawes acting as a wrecking ball in defence and Ben Youngs kicking smartly it was possible to draw first blood, but they were soon forced to defend furiously inside their 22.

After directing two lengthy penalties into touch, Gareth Anscombe took the points when given a third chance but Wales fell behind again in the 27th minute to a try that was partly of their own doing.

Seemingly in control of a maul, Ken Owens allowed the ball to squirt out under pressure from Lawes and Billy Vunipola reacted in a flash by releasing the backline.

Henry Slade made a muscular run and several phases later Tom Curry spied his chance, exploiting another Welsh lapse to break from the back of a ruck and dart over from close range.

The first half ended with England dominant as Jonny May kicked upfield before showing pace to single-handedly bundle the home cover into touch.

Farrell and Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones were asked by referee Jaco Peyper to calm the players down following successive scuffles, the second of which saw Manu Tuilagi grab Lee Williams by the throat.

With the warning came a shift in momentum as Anscombe booted a penalty before the fly-half was hit late by Sinckler, resulting in Peyper's intervention and the opportunity for pressure to build again.

Sinckler then held Alun Wyn Jones around the neck at a maul, enabling Anscombe to reduce the deficit to a single point, and England were clearly reeling as Farrell sent a kick out on the fall.

It took a bulldozing run from Tuilagi to push Wales back and Farrell was able to kick a penalty, but waves of attacks from the red shirts eventually took their toll on Eddie Jones' men.

There was nothing fancy about the hard carries that thrust England backwards and a long pass eventually created the chance that was taken by Hill.

It was all Wales in the closing stages and they landed the final blow when Adams out-jumped Daly to secure Biggar's kick and slide over, sparking wild celebrations amongst home fans.

PA

6:54PM

"We let ourselves down in a couple of areas"

Eddie Jones admits "a few of our players were a bit off today". "They beat us in the air, we gave away a few penalties."

6:48PM

"I didn't think England created anything, really"

 Warren Gatland with a frank appraisal of England's attacking game, there.

6:43PM

"We'd probably like to play again next week to use the momentum"

Alun Wyn Jones says Wales knew it'd always be close. He was right. And Wales out-lasted England. 

6:41PM

"We just didn't get a foothold in that second half"

Impressive interview from Owen Farrell, who says England didn't fire a shot in that second half. He's right.

6:39PM

Two huddles

Both sets of players debrief, with Alun Wyn Jones speaking to Wales...

 ...and Owen Farrell leading a frank discussion among England's side.

6:37PM

Man of the match

 The full-back was outstanding in dealing with England's kicking game and epitomised Wales' desire.

6:32PM

Full-time | Wales 21 England 13

Wales regather the restart, play one phase in-field and Aled Davies smashes it into touch. Game over. The hosts are three from three.

6:32PM

Try, Josh Adams! Wales 21 England 13, 78 minutes

That'll be it! England splinter to concede a scrum penalty and Biggar goes across the field to Adams, who rises above Elliot Daly. He juggles, then regathers and stretches over. He's sealed it, surely.

 Biggar misses the conversion.

6:28PM

Wales 16 England 13, 77 minutes   

Ellis Genge is on for Ben Moon. The scrum needs a re-set. Three minutes.

6:27PM

Four minutes left

6:26PM

Wales 16 England 13, 75 minutes  

Elliot Daly controls a high ball from Biggar and calls for the mark. Liam Williams then charges after his own high ball and catches it. 

Wales have a scrum inside the England 22...

6:23PM

Stat

6:22PM

Wales 16 England 13, 71 minutes 

Youngs kicks and Gareth Davies replies. Wilson rises to gather...but drops it. Scrum to Wales.

6:21PM

Wales 16 England 13, 70 minutes

Joe Cokanasiga replaces May, who looked extremely groggy after bringing down Parkes. 

Another fantastic intervention from Biggar. Gareth Davies is charged-down but Biggar scoops up the rebound and slams down-field. England will have to come from their own 10-metre line.

6:19PM

Try, Cory Hill! Wales 16 England 13, 67 minutes

Titanic stuff from both sides. Wales batter and batter away at England and they finally squeeze over through lock Hill, who has been excellent. He cuts back against the grain to stretch over!

Biggar converts from out wide on the right as well. The hosts have a three-point lead.

6:16PM

Wales 9 England 13, 65 minutes 

Wales are within four metres...

6:15PM

Wales 9 England 13, 64 minutes

Carnage. Alun Wyn Jones throws a looping pass that is intercepted by Jack Nowell but England spill on the next phase. 

Wales pick apart England down their right through Parkes. They're inside the England 22...

6:14PM

Penalty, Owen Farrell! Wales 9 England 13, 63 minutes

Farrell slots the three.

Kruis leaves the field with Joe Launchbury replacing him. Wales had traded their props as well.

6:12PM

Ouch

6:12PM

Wales 9 England 10, 61 minutes   

Parkes carries in midfield but Curry swoops to win a penalty. Was he supporting his bodyweight? Peyper thinks so. Farrell will call for the tee.

6:11PM

Wales 9 England 10, 61 minutes  

Huge cheer around the Principality Stadium as Dan Biggar replaces Anscombe...

6:09PM

Wales 9 England 10, 59 minutes 

Manu Tuilagi rounds Hadleigh Parkes from a kick-return and England pierce the Wales 22...but a short pass from Farrell to Nowell is spilled. 

6:07PM

Wales 9 England 10, 58 minutes

England have lost their way a bit here. Farrell's kick sails out on the full. Wales look energised. They have a lineout just inside the opposition half....but they've lost it.

Ben Youngs hoists a box-kick and Wales will have to come again. 

6:05PM

Penalty, Gareth Anscombe! Wales 9 England 10, 57 minutes

Anscombe makes it a one-point game. Sinckler comes off, to a chorus of boos. That last penalty aside, he's been excellent.

6:05PM

Wales 6 England 10, 56 minutes 

Another penalty against Sinckler. He tackles Alun Wyn Jones high...and ships a penalty.

Harry Williams is warming up. Menawhile, Anscombe is going for the posts.

6:03PM

Wales 6 England 10, 53 minutes

It's edgy. Both sides are happier in defence. Nice moment as Tuilagi hammers Liam Williams and the pair share a joke on the floor. England jump the gun in midfield, though. They're offside.

There's also a collision between Anscombe and Sinckler. Wales want a penalty. They do get one, but it's the original for offside.

5:59PM

Penalty, Gareth Anscombe! Wales 6 England 10, 52 minutes

Good nudge.

5:58PM

Wales 3 England 10, 50 minutes    

Good work from Wales. Anscombe's cross-kick is chased hard and Liam Williams swoops over Jonny May to win a penalty. It's kick-able.

5:57PM

Wales 3 England 10, 49 minutes   

We need a few scrum re-sets before Moriarty heads away from the base, linking with Parkes.

5:55PM

Handbags!

Manu Tuilagi and Liam Williams square up to one another and teammates pile in. 

Peyper brings the skippers together and tells everyone to calm down. 

Free-kick to Wales from the lineout...they opt for a scrum.

5:52PM

Wales 3 England 10, 44 minutes  

Wales take the lineout before mauling and box-kicking through Gareth Davies. 

That's a sharp response from England. Nowell takes and links with Daly, who links with Tuilagi. Farrell's left-footed grubber pins back Wales. England concede a penalty for a lineout offence. Kruis just grabbed an arm there.

5:50PM

Wales 3 England 10, 43 minutes 

Farrell tries to thread a grubber through but Anscombe makes a sort of sliding tackle. The resulting lineout is messy but Nowell scurries through.

Farrell then bursts to the blindside but is forced out.

5:48PM

Wales 3 England 10, 41 minutes

Josh Navidi is pressurised by Wilson and he spills a tip-on pass from Alun Wyn Jones. 

Billy Vunipola breaks left from the scrum and Henry Slade makes some ground. England are on the edge of Wales' 22...

5:46PM

Second half

Here we go again. Surely the pace has to relent. Surely something has to give. We will see.
Anscombe starts us off again. 

It's high, central and Elliot Daly comes forward to take it.

5:44PM

Match action

 Gareth Anscombe has been put under pressure by England, but he's certainly capable of a moment of magic.

5:42PM

Stat

There have been 40 kicks from hand in that first half, 19 from Wales and 21 from England...despite the fact that they have had just 39 per cent of possession.

5:39PM

England Insider

We'll be out for the second period soon. In the mean-time, check out our England Insider newsletter. You can sign up via the below link.

5:32PM

Half-time | Wales 3 England 10

A pass went to ground, Farrell hoisted an up-and-under. Although Jack Nowell batted the ball back, George North brought it under control and Gareth Davies kicked out to bring a truly manic first period to a close.

England stay out there for their huddle, as they have done during this tournament.

 It's calm in there.

5:29PM

Wales 3 England 10, 39 minutes   

Jamie George throws to Kruis. The maul creaks up-field but collapses. England still in possession, within five.

5:28PM

Wales 3 England 10, 39 minutes    

Superb play from Jonny May. England scoop up an errant pass from Wales and move the ball left through Youngs to May.

He chips ahead and chases the ball down, forcing Parkes into touch. five metres from Wales' line. Huge moment now.

5:26PM

Wales 3 England 10, 37 minutes   

Wales shove England off their own put-in! Anscombe chips...Youngs scurries back and England stay composed. They run a series of pick-and-go carries through the forwards before Youngs clears. It's not out though. Wales come again.

5:24PM

Rubbish handbags

Rob Evans pushes Kyle Sinckler. Some very tired handbags.

5:23PM

Match action

5:22PM

Wales 3 England 10, 34 minutes  

Josh Navidi pouches an interception and then Billy Vunipola pounces in search of a turnover...but he's pinged.

5:21PM

Wales 3 England 10, 31 minutes 

That's stunning from Henry Slade. Anscombe attempts to chip but the Exeter centre charges the ball down and then collects the riccohet. England kick through but then concede a penalty when Liam Williams is back together.

5:18PM

Wales 3 England 10, 29 minutes

England are on the front foot here but Justin Tipuric forces a turnover with a choke tackle.

5:15PM

Try, Tom Curry! Wales 3 England 10, 26 minutes

Wales botch a driving maul, Ken Owens spilling at the table. England spread the ball right through Tulagi and Slade and then there are midfield carries from Vunipola and Lawes as they come back to the left.

Wales switch off around the fringes and Curry sneaks through to score. Farrell converts.

5:12PM

Match action

Liam Williams has been lively at full-back for Wales.

5:11PM

Stats 

George Kruis has made 14 tackles in 24 minutes.

5:10PM

Penalty, Gareth Anscombe! Wales 3 England 3, 24 minutes

We're even. This is brutal.

5:09PM

Wales 0 England 3, 22 minutes  

Hadleigh Parkes carries in midfield, slipping off Manu Tuilagi. Wales are within five metres with penalty advantage...

...Anscombe's cross-kick goes out on the full. Sinckler was penalised for not wrapping his arms in a tackle on Cory Hill.

5:08PM

Wales 0 England 3, 20 minutes 

Wales kick long and Henry Slade takes. Wales attempt to run it back after Youngs clears but some solid hits encourage Anscombe to go to the boot. The hosts get another chance soon afterwards. Sinckler and Moon combine to make another hit...

...penalty Wales. Jack Nowell was over the ball but Curry is penalised for failing to roll away.

Anscombe goes to touch again.

5:04PM

Penalty, Owen Farrell! Wales 0 England 3, 17 minutes

Simple kick for Farrell.

5:03PM

England 0 Wales 0, 15 minutes   

The scrum, 10 metres from Wales' line, needs a re-set. Then the penalty goes to England. It was Rob Evans. Farrell will go for the posts.

 Hmm.

5:01PM

England 0 Wales 0, 12 minutes   

A long, lung-busting passage ends as Ben Youngs skips a kick into touch. Both teams are trying to keep the ball in play here.

Ken Owens concedes a free-kick from the lineout and Youngs taps. Wales hold firm, though. They get a scrum back as Farrell's pass to Slade drifts forward. A bit of miscommunication in England's backline there.

4:59PM

England 0 Wales 0, 10 minutes  

Ben Youngs clears down-field and Liam Williams beats a couple of tackles with an electric kick-return. Nascombe then goes  high and Elliot Daly has a nice run.

A reminder that those two will both be together at Saracens next season.

Gareth Davies sprints through to charge-down Farrell but Nowell is there to clean up. It's breathless.

4:56PM

England 0 Wales 0, 8 minutes 

Big moment for England on defence. Courtney Lawes and Mark Wilson combine to clatter Ross Moriarty and Jamie George piles in. Peyper award a scrum to England on the edge of their own 22.

4:54PM

England 0 Wales 0, 6 minutes

Big chance for Wales early on...

 ...George Kruis nabs the throw of Ken Owens. England clear to touch and Wales come again.

4:53PM

England 0 Wales 0, 5 minutes  

Anscombe heads to touch. Interesting.

4:52PM

England 0 Wales 0, 4 minutes 

A frantic start continues. Owen Farrell slices up in the air and then an England tackle forces a spill from Gareth Ancombe.

Ben Youngs tries a chip for Jonny May and then we are into some aerial tennis... England give away a penalty for offside. It was Tom Curry there. 

Ooof. While Wales have penalty advantage, Farrell clatters Anscombe.

4:49PM

England 0 Wales 0, 2 minutes

Elliot Daly misses, pushing the kick to the left.

4:49PM

England 0 Wales 0, 1 minute

First mini-victory to Wales as England's attack is slightly inaccurate, Ben Moon fumbling a pass that might have been meant for Courtney Lawes...hang on. 

We're coming back for a penalty to England. It was Justin Tipuric making a no-arms tackle on Billy Vunipola from the restart... it was called in by the TMO. Elliot Daly will kick for goal.

4:46PM

Kick-off

Very interesting there. Kyle Sinckler seemed to be leading England's last-gasp huddle.

The visitors will start us off with Jaco Peyper's whistle...and we're off. Farrell kicks long to Ross Moriarty, who is taken down by Jack Nowell. Gareth Davies kicks long to Billy Vunipola...

4:43PM

And we're ready

God Save the Queen first...

 ...followed by Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau.

4:40PM

Here they come

Anthems next.

4:39PM

Players ready

4:37PM

Less than 10 minutes to go...

...and we await the players, who are back in the changing rooms.

4:35PM

"We'll be a different animal today"

Warren Gatland is quietly confident. He says he's also received a text from Eddie Jones in the week and will be catching up for a beer with him afterwards.

4:33PM

Kyle Sinckler limbers up

 Here's the "emotional timebomb", as labelled by Warren Gatland. He's been very good so far this tournament.

4:31PM

On England's attack

Here is a look at what they did so well against France.

4:28PM

"We'll have to be better today"

Speaking of Jones, he's been talking to the BBC. He says that England will keep a close eye on the Wales back three as they look to use the kicking game that has proved so fruitful thus far in the tournament.

England's head coach also says that he has not needed to talk to Kyle Sinckler about keeping his cool out on the field.

"We know what Wales are going to try to do."

4:25PM

Keeping a close eye

Eddie Jones usually takes a hands-on role in England's warm-ups. Today is no different.

4:22PM

Result in Paris

France beat Scotland 27-10, claiming a four-try bonus point in the 88th minute.

4:21PM

They're still mates...

4:19PM

As traditions go...

...this is a weird one.

4:16PM

Warm-ups

4:09PM

Just over half an hour now...

4:08PM

This is cool

Enjoy the game, Simon.

4:06PM

What a stat

James Corrigan wrote about this very phenomenon earlier in the week. 

4:04PM

Austin Healey column

Here's a taster:

Read the whole thing here. Sheer chance will certainly play a part this evening. Remember this from a year ago?

4:00PM

45 minutes until kick-off

3:56PM

In Paris...

France are leading 15-3 with just eight minutes remaining. But Scotland are pressing very hard.

3:51PM

Skippers

Alun Wyn Jones and Owen Farrell with today's referee, Jaco Peyper.

3:50PM

Fear and loathing in the Valleys

Speaking of my colleague Dan Schofield, he has also been over to Neath for this excellent feature on Welsh club rugby.

3:47PM

Mind games

Warren Galtand and Eddie Jones are not shy of throwing grenades in press-conferences. Do they actually work though? Daniel Schofield tried to find out.

3:42PM

One hour to go...

...or just over. Predictions? Get in them below the line.

3:36PM

No bus-headbutting at least

3:31PM

Subscribe to Telegraph Sport

This deal, which allows you access to Telegraph Sport's premium articles for £1 a week, is pretty generous.

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Danny Cipriani on Owen Farrell

Danny Cipriani has joined Telegraph Sport as a columnist. Here is his first piece, on the leadership qualities of Owen Farrell and why honesty is vital when you are running a side.

3:24PM

Meanwhile...

France are leading Scotland 15-3. Giles Mole is live-blogging that one here.

3:17PM

Analysis

What will Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards have planned for this evening? I reckon scrum-half Gareth Davies will be a vital figure on either side of the ball.

3:13PM

Jonny May vs George North

Maggie Alphonsi has picked out a tussle out wide for her scouting report.

3:09PM

Omen?

Last night, Wales Under-20 beat England 11-10 thanks to a last-gasp try from Deon Smith.

3:06PM

Tuning in from far away?

Leave us a message. Great to have you with us, David.

3:04PM

Hype reel

Lovely stuff, this. 

3:01PM

You are the TMO

If you have not had a chance to play this interactive TMO game, give it a go. It's pretty tough.

2:59PM

Rewind

In 2013, when these sides met at this very venue, Wales thrashed England 30-3.

Only a handful of players involved six years ago will feature this afternoon. However, that game was an influential one as far as the tactical identities of both Wales and England.

2:55PM

"We’re happy to be two from two. Obviously the performances were not great"

My colleague Ben Coles caught up with Wales back-rower Josh Navidi, one of the players of the tournament thus far.

Here's the interview.

2:52PM

Telegraph at the ground

2:46PM

Filling up

The atmosphere in Cardiff, as you might expect, already looks pretty special. Just not sure which team this guy is supporting...

2:37PM

Good afternoon

Here we go. After an exhausting fortnight of anticipation, predictions, tactical previews and mind games – we’ll get to those later – there are just a couple of hours until kick-off in Cardiff, where Wales host England.

The only two remaining unbeaten teams in the 2019 Six Nations are poised to play out what amounts to a potential Championship decider at the Principality Stadium. How very exciting.

There is not long to go now, thank goodness, and you can spend the last little bit of build-up – as well as the match itself – right here. Why not begin with a reminder of today’s teams?

First, Warren Gatland’s Wales. Gareth Anscombe is preferred at fly-half and partners Gareth Davies with Tomos Williams ruled out due to a calf complaint.

The game comes a couple of weeks too soon for Leigh Halfpenny, so Liam Williams starts at full-back between wings Josh Adams and George North. A back row of Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty is reunited from the France game.

Now for England, whose selection is fairly straightforward. Ben Moon replaces Mako Vunipola and Jack Nowell slides in for Chris Ashton.

On the bench, there are a couple of interesting calls. Joe Cokanasiga wears 23 and Brad Shields is included at the expense of Wasps colleague Nathan Hughes.