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The Matches

Ireland 9-10 France

The was no luck for the Irish against France in their opening match of the Five Nations tournament after Thomas Castaignede scored a last-minute penalty to win by a single point.

Scotland 33-20 Wales

Scotland made an astonishing start with a 10-second try which set the pace for a see-saw thriller at Murrayfield.

Scotland were off to a flyer when stand-off Duncan Hodge switched the kick-off from the right to the left at the last second, foxing the Welsh side. Kiwi centre John Leslie collected the ball and sprinted straight in to touch down on his debut for Scotland. Hodge failed to convert and minutes later missed what appeared to be a simple penalty.

Neil Jenkins pulled back the deficit in seven minutes with a penalty.

Wales took the lead in the 34th minute with a quick tap penalty from Rob Howley, who waltzed round the Scottish defence and passed outside to winger Daffyd James for the score. Jenkins added the conversion. Three minutes later Hodge atoned for his two earlier misses by notching up another three points.But Jenkins responded by making his record three out of three to stretch Wales' lead further.Scotland made one change at half-time, Stewart Grimes replacing Doddie Weir at lock.

Minutes into the second-half, Gregor Townsend - switched to stand-off after Hodge went off injured - capitalised on a quick penalty taken by Howley. Townsend intercepted the ball between the Welsh forwards and ran three-quarters of the field to score. Kenny Logan, who has kicked all season for his club Wasps, stepped up and secured the conversion.

In the 56th minute, Wales switched hookers, Jonathan Humphreys going off to be replaced by Barry Williams.
Wales displayed magnificent handling to clinch a splendid try. Howley tried to go blind and passed inside to Jenkinks, who handed on to Chris Jarvis. Scott Gibbs was close in support and managed to go over for another five points. Jenkins retained his 100% record with the conversion.

Not to be outdone, Scotland hit back by stealing Welsh line-out ball for Townsend to set up a midfield move, finished by Alan Tait whose run angle was perfectly judged for his 10th capped try. Logan's conversion was wide. With seven minutes left, Logan put the Scots ahead with a penalty which raised the Murrayfield roof. Scotland piled on the pressure, driving Wales back, eventually getting close enough to the Welsh line for lock Scott Murray to dive over. Logan added the conversion.

The Wasps man had more to come. He put over a penalty on full-time to extend the lead further.

Teams

Scotland: Metcalfe, C Murray, Townsend, J Leslie, Logan, Hodge, Armstrong, Smith, Bulloch, Burnell, S Murray, Weir, Walton, Peters, M Leslie. Replacements: Longstaff, Tait, Fairley, Pountney, Grimes, Hilton, Brotherstone.

Wales: Howarth, Robinson, Bateman, Gibbs, James, Jenkins, Howley, Morris, Humphreys, Anthony, Gough, Wyatt, Charvis, Quinnell, M Williams. Replacements: Morgan, Taylor, Llewellyn, G Lewis, Voyle, A Lewis, B Williams.

Referee: E Morrison (England)

Wales 23-29 Ireland

Ireland continued their remarkable away record against Wales, with a hard-earned victory in an enthralling contest at Wembley.
The Welsh, who have not beaten the Irish at home for 16 years, are now in danger of taking the wooden spoon after losing to Scotland in their opening Five Nations fixture.

It was the Irish pack that did the damage, setting up a platform for victory that stayed in tact, despite a rousing second half fightback from Wales. Ireland looked in complete control at 26-6 with 50 minutes gone, but the lead was gradually chipped away and ultimately they were grateful to hang on. David Humphreys, whose missed kicks cost Ireland victory against France a fortnight ago, at last rediscovered his range and claimed 19 points, including two drop goals, to seal the win.

And it was the Ulster fly-half who sent his side on the way, making the first try of the match, after the two sides had traded penalties. Humphreys charged down a kick from his opposite number Neil Jenkins and a reverse pass sent in Kevin Maggs for a simple score from 50 yards out. Jenkins bagged his second penalty to send the sides in 16-6 at the break after a nervy first half that occasionally spilled over into clashes between the players.

British Lions hooker Keith Wood, who had a huge game for the Irish, added a second try after the break - in uncharacteristic fashion. Niall Woods embarked on a left-wing run and the ball was recycled and spun out to the midfield, where Woods, acting as a make-shift centre side-stepped Scott Gibbs and sprinted through two tackles to score under the posts.

Humphreys' metronomic kicking put Ireland in total control and with a 20-point lead the game looked over. But Wales finally burst out of their slumbers and at last produced some of the form so many pundits had been expecting before the Championships began. Ireland's defence had no chance as Craig Quinnell charged through from a line-out to touch down for a try that Jenkins converted.

Immense Welsh pressure so nearly resulted in a score for Matthew Robinson. But their second try was not long in coming - and it was worth the wait. Shane Howarth, who was twice involved in a flowing move, scored in the right-hand corner after a looping Jenkins miss-pass was collected on the touchline by lock Chris Wyatt, who passed inside for his full-back to dive over.
Ireland refused to panic in the face of Wales' storming efforts and Humphreys secured the victory five minutes from time when he landed his second drop goal of the game from just outside the 22. The win gives Ireland hope of a surprise Triple Crown, with England travelling to Dublin for what may prove to be a fascinating encounter.

Wembley teams:

Wales: Howarth; Robinson, Taylor, Gibbs, D James; N Jenkins, Howley (capt); Morris, B Williams, Young, C Quinnell, Wyatt, Charvis, M Williams, S Quinnell.

Replacements: Morgan, Davies, Llewellyn, Voyle, Lewis, Anthony, G Jenkins.

Ireland: O'Shea; Bishop, Maggs, Bell, Woods; Humphreys, McGuinness; Clohessy, Wood, Wallace, Johns (capt), Davidson, O'Cuinneagain, Ward, Miller.

Replacements: R Henderson, Elwood, Scally, Costello, Galwey, Fitzpatrick, Nesdale.

 England 24-21 Scotland

England kicked off their Five Nations campaign in nail-biting style, with a narrow victory over Scotland in a gripping Calcutta Cup clash at Twickenham.

Ireland 15-27 England

England's forwards got the better of a battling Irish side at Landsdowne Road with tries from full-back Matt Perry and Tim Rodber.

France 33-34 Wales

Wales beat France by a single point in a stunning game, giving the men in red their first victory against in Paris in 24 years.

Emile N'tamack scored a spectacular hat-trick for France but that could not stop a resurgent Welsh side who battled for the whole 80 minutes.Thomas Castaignede had a chance right at the death to snatch victory for France but his penalty kick narrowly missed. Wales, beaten in their first two Five Nations games, displayed more skill, thrilling running and defensive grit than their most optimistic fans could have hoped for.

After only three minutes Neil Jenkins made a searing break only to see the crucial pass not go to hand. The resulting scrum gave Jenkins the opportunity to make amends. After a second Welsh break Robert Howley scythed his way to only five yards from the French line and Colin Charvis popped up to drive over. Jenkins' conversion gave Wales a 10-0 lead. France made their reply almost immediately. Emile N'tamack latched on to a kick through and touched down. Castaignede converted and France were back in the game.

Wales stretched their lead to six points after a Jenkins penalty but France looked dangerous running from deep. After a line-out infringement Castaignede stepped up to reduce the advantage to three points.After a French break from behind their own try-line, Castaignede flicked a beautiful reverse pass behind his back and only desperate Welsh defending could stop a score.

N'tamack secured his second try of the game and put France within a point of the visitors. On the half-hour Castaignede made up for his missed conversion to give his side the lead. But it was short-lived. Jenkins threw a stunning pass to James and he out-paced his opponents to score in the corner after sustained Welsh pressure. Wales drew away further through Craig Quinnell after a break and fine pass from Howley.

After 50 minutes France broke their way back into the game with a fine try from N'tamack giving the full-back his hat-trick. The conversion was sent over by Castaignede and the lead was cut to only three points. Jenkins had a chance almost immediately to put Wales back in the driving seat but his penalty hit the post.

The game was an end-to-end battle. Castaignede was given an opportunity to level the scores from a penalty and with 20 minutes remaining it was 28-28. Howley was forced off with a knee injury which left many Welsh fans wondering if they could do without their experienced scrum-half. But within a few minutes Jenkins was again on the mark to give the men in red a three-point lead. Again that spurred France on and Castaignede popped up in the corner for a simple touchdown after sustained pressure to rob the lead. His missed conversion still gave Wales a chance and another Jenkins kick put Wales back in front by a single point with five minutes to go.

Castaignede had a chance right at the death to snatch victory for France but his penalty kick missed bent across the face of the posts. Wales' jubilation at the final whistle - and the dejection on the faces of the French - displayed the enormity of the achievement.

Teams

France: E Ntamack, Bernat-Salles, Dourthe, Comba, Lombard, Castaignede, Carbonneau, Califano, Ibanez, Tournaire, Brouzet, Pelous, Benetton, Raynaud, Lievremont.

Replacements: Laussucq, Aucagne, Garbajosa, Auradou, Marconnet, M Dal Maso, Castel.

Wales: Howarth, Robinson, Taylor, Gibbs, James, N Jenkins, Howley, Rogers, G Jenkins, Evans, C Quinnell, Wyatt, Charvis, Sinkinson, S Quinnell.

Replacements: Morgan, Thomas, Llewellyn, Voyle, Lewis,

Scotland 30-13 Ireland

The Scots, who led 15-10 at the interval, ran in four tries from Cameron Murray (2), Gregor Townsend and Stuart Grimes while Kenny Logan struck two conversions and two penalties.

In reply, Ulster captain David Humphreys scored all Ireland's points with a try, a conversion and two penalties. Man of the match Gregor Townsend took centre stage, dazzling the Irish backs with superb breaks as Scotland recorded their eighth successive home win over their Gallic foes.

By the finish, Irish heads were spinning, such was the ferocity with which Townsend twisted and turned - and the reputation of their mighty pack was in tatters. In a match which had been billed as a battle between Irish forwards and Scottish backs, the visitors made their intentions clear from the start. Twice in the first five minutes they turned over Scottish possession and in a blistering Irish opening, they also opened the scoring.

Sale flanker Dion O'Cuinneagain broke from deep and chipped over the advancing Scottish full-back Glenn Metcalfe. David Humphreys appeared to win the foot race to the line, but referee Derek Bevan ruled Metcalfe had impeded O'Cuinneagain's attempts to retrieve his own kick and awarded the penalty try. Humphreys converted but it was the last time he saw the Scottish posts for a while as the home side launched a breathless counter-offensive.

Rejuvenated fly-half Townsend was its architect and young winger Cammie Murray its first beneficiary. Townsend then began to cause trouble with both his hands and feet, spiriting himself away from Irish tacklers and forcing Warren Gatland's men onto the back foot with deep, punishing kicks. The Irish defenders were already spinning when Super 12 centre John Leslie took Townsend's short pass, then looped the ball over to Murray, who raced in for a replica of his debut score against Italy two weeks ago.

Kenny Logan missed the touchline conversion, having already pushed a penalty wide, but found his range to put Scotland in front after Ireland had been penalised for going in at the wrong side. Determined Irish tackling was keeping the home side at bay but Townsend was a class apart and the Brive man made three dramatic interventions as Scotland increased their lead.
With the help on Murray, Townsend forced Conor O'Shea to concede a penalty for holding on after the Ireland full-back was caught without support on half-way. The darling of the Scottish game kicked the penalty to within a foot of the visitors' line.
But, although neither Martin Leslie, nor Gary Armstrong could burrow their way over, when play switched out wide, the darling of Scottish rugby cut through Ireland's buttery defence to collect his ninth international try.

Logan converted, although Humphreys quickly reduced the arrears with his first penalty of the afternoon. The pivotal moment came five minutes before the break, immediately following another 40-metre charge from O'Cuinneagain. Scotland were penalised for offside five metres from their own line but, instead of banking the three easy points, scrum-half Conor McGuinness elected to take a quick tap but failed to cross over. Lock Jeremy Davidson was also forced back and a succession of Irish forward drives were repelled, Stuart Grimes crashing Keith Wood into the turf with one mighty hit.

Jim Telfer's pre-match observation that the Irish pack were the best in the Five Nations had hurt his own troops - and they proved him wrong. Humphreys reduced the deficit to two with a penalty 10 minutes after the interval but the physchological damage had already been done. And, in the knowledge that their own forwards could match the Irish power, Scotland cut loose. Leslie, Townsend and Metcalfe combined to send Murray away for his second score, the 23-year-old showing immense confidence to peer Jonathan Bell in the eye before rounding him on the outside.

Unselfishness denied Murray a hat-trick as he handed on to Grimes to complete a deadly counter-attack. With their Five Nations campaign destined to end on a losing note, Ireland valiantly battled back but Logan's late penalty made the game safe and ensured Townsend's talents had been suitably rewarded.

Teams:

Scotland: Metcalfe, C Murray, Tait, J Leslie, Logan, Townsend, Armstrong, Smith, Bulloch, Burnell, S Murray, Grimes, Walton, M Leslie, Peters.

Replacements: Longstaff, Chalmers, Fairley, Pountney, Reed, Hilton, Brotherstone.

Ireland: O'Shea, Bishop, Maggs, Bell, Dempsey, Humphreys, McGuinness, Clohessy, Wood, Wallace, Johns, Davidson, O'Cuinneagain, Ward, Miller.

Replacements: Scally, Elwood, Henderson, Costello, Brennan, Fitzpatrick, Nesdale.

Referee: D Bevan (Wales)
 

England 21-10 France

Teenage centre Jonny Wilkinson was again the hero for England, with a fantastic display of place-kicking to give the home side their first win over the French for four years. The Newcastle 19-year-old kicked all seven of his penalty attempts and although England were unable to score the tries that their utter domination warranted, coach Clive Woodward will not be unduly concerned.

Franck Comba scored the only try of the game deep into injury time, but it was a score the visitors barely deserved on a day to forget for their supporters.

England produced exactly the start that Woodward would have demanded, storming into French territory from the first whistle. And the early pressure paid off as the nerveless Wilkinson slotted two penalties in the first five minutes to put his side 6-0 up. France's indiscipline was proving their undoing and a Thomas Castaignede high tackle on Dan Luger allowed Wilkinson to kick his third penalty after 18 minutes.

If England know one thing about France, though, it is that you never write them off and they almost forced their way back into the game with an incisive blind side move - but wing Xavier Garbojosa was adjudged to have strayed into touch just as he put the ball down. England suffered a major blow five minutes before the break when scrum-half Kyran Bracken, their most impressive player in the first half, was forced off with a knee injury.

But England shrugged off the setback and in quick succession Jerry Guscott, Luger and Mike Catt all came close to scoring the opening try, only to be denied by last-gasp tackles. France responded in perfect fashion straight after the interval, Castaignede converting their first penalty attempt - but Wilkinson replied in kind two minutes later, to keep up his 100% kicking record.

Guscott should have scored, with a replica of the rehearsed move that he finished off against South Africa in December. Catt put in a huge kick towards the corner, Luger tapped the ball back and Wilkinson sent Guscott clear - but the ball squirmed from the Bath centre's grasp just as he went over the line. And there was another hair-line decision after 55 minutes.

This time it was Guscott who put in the precision kick onto the French try-line but, with the ball ricocheting free, the officials correctly ruled out Catt's touch-down for the slightest of knock-ons. England were camped in French territory, but they were unable to provide the finishing touch, Christophe Dominici tackling David Rees when Wilkinson's superb floated pass looked to have created the opening.  The luckless Rees, who has struggled with injury all season, was then stretchered off with a suspected broken ankle.

But if tries were proving elusive, at least the penalties were not and Wilkinson gave his side a 12-point lead from in front of the posts, then landed the most testing of the lot from 40 yards and for good measure curled home his seventh from wide on the right. France were simply unable to get in English territory and when they finally broke free five minutes from time, Catt's superb tap-tackle stopped Castaignede in his tracks.

But with just seconds left Comba took advantage of some defensive uncertainty to latch onto a kick ahead and race home for the only try of the match. The final act of the contest may not have pleased England - but it will mean little to the French, who will know they were out-played.

Teams:

England: Perry, Rees, Wilkinson, Guscott, Luger, Catt, Bracken, Leonard, Cockerill, Garforth, Johnson, Rodber, Hill, Back, Dallaglio.

Replacements: Beal, Mather, Dawson, Corry, Archer, Ubogu, McCarthy.

France: Ntamack, Garbajosa, Giordani, Comba, Dominici, Castaignede, Carbonneau, Marconnet, Ibanez, Tournaire, Brouzet, Pelous, Lievremont, Castel, Juillet.

Replacements: Laussucq, Aucagne, Bernat-Salles, Raynaud, Auradou, Califano, de Rougemont.

Referee: C Hawke (New Zealand)

Italy 21-60 Wales

Thirty points from Neil Jenkins and four tries from a rejuvenated Gareth Thomas helped Wales to a glorious victory over Italy in Treviso. The Pontypridd fly-half, still only 27, scored a try and kicked five conversions and five penalties to overtake Gavin Hastings' 733 points haul and take his place in the record books with 745 points. Only Michael Lynagh, with 911, is ahead of the Welshman. It was yet another gilt-edged display from Jenkins although Wales only led 18-16 at the break.

They made the perfect start with Craig Quinnell scoring his third try in as many games after a tapped line-out ball from Chris Wyatt. Jenkins, usually so reliable, actually missed the ensuing conversion, but made up for that rare error when he slotted a 12th-minute penalty given for offside. The Welsh joy, however, was short-lived as Italy struck back four minutes later with a penalty from Diego Dominguez.

The same player reduced the arrears further with his second kick on 21 minutes and Italy stepped up a gear to wrestle the advantage from Wales, who were proving anything but the powerful force they had been in Paris two weeks earlier. A quickly taken penalty gave Luca Martin the chance to put Italy in front and he duly obliged with a try from close range. Dominguez converted, but a Jenkins penalty on 29 minutes and then a try from Thomas, after a clever reversed pass from captain Rob Howley, gave Jenkins the chance to convert and put Wales back ahead at 18-13. On half-time, Dominguez kicked his third penalty and considering the number of mistakes that Wales had made, it was perhaps a just payback for their inconsistency.

But if the first half was sloppy at times, the second was particularly slick. Firstly Jenkins kicked a penalty and then two tries in as many minutes took Wales clear and towards victory. Thomas scored the first after a flat pass from Scott Gibbs and, straight from the re-start, Gibbs and Dafyd James released Jenkins for a breakaway try that took him to 735 points. His next penalty increased his own tally and with the Italian scrum folding Wales turned the screw with another Jenkins penalty after the home front row collapsed a scrum five metres out.

That gave Jenkins his 26th point, taking him past his previous best in an international of 24, against Canada in 1993 and Italy 12 months later.

Thomas completed a wonderful try hat-trick after clever work from Gibbs and Jenkins and then Howley grabbed a charged-down kick to sprint over for another Wales try that brought up their half-century of points. Italy were held up three times over the Welsh line but Stephano Saviozzi eventually muscled his way over for a consolation try.

However, Thomas and Wales had the last laugh when the Cardiff wing became only the sixth Welshman to score four tries in an international when he crossed three minutes from time.

Teams:

Italy: Pertile, Roselli, Stoica, Martin, Dallan, Dominguez, Troncon, Cuttitta, Moscardi, Properzi, Cristofoletto, Giacheri, Giovanelli, Sgorlon, Scaglia.

Replacements: Saviozzi, Castellani, Stocco, Arancio, Mazzi, Pavin, Baroni.

Wales: Howarth, Thomas, Taylor, Gibbs, James, N Jenkins, Howley, Rogers, G Jenkins, Evans, C Quinnell, Wyatt, Charvis, Sinkinson, S Quinnell.

Replacements: Boobyer, Walne, Llewellyn, Lewis, Voyle, Morris, Williams.

Referee: R Dickson (Scotland)
 

France 22-36 Scotland

In one of the most memorable games in Five Nations rugby history, Scotland scored six first-half tries to put one hand on the Championship trophy and secure their highest ever points win over France. Two tries apiece from Alan Tait and Martin Leslie shattered French hopes of achieving anything from the season, with England now needing to defeat Wales on Sunday to secure the Championship. In a blistering first-half of 55 points and eight tries, Scotland immediately took the game to France, but only after Thomas Castaignede had made a breathtaking break in the first minute of the match.

From the kick-off, Castaignede ran the ball straight back at the Scots, only to be brought down yards short of the line.

The French quickly fed the ball back, before moving it through their hands with full-back Emile Ntamack touching over on the right.

It was the perfect start from France, but also proved a blow after Castaignede left the field suffering a twisted knee.

With one minute gone and five points on the board, France looked every bit their old selves. But Scotland retaliated in a way that will have surprised even the most hardened supporter.

An inside break from Kenny Logan split the French defence wide open and in a superb expansive move, Scotland moved the ball across the field, to allow Martin Leslie to touch over on the right.

With Kenny Logan converting - Scotland led 7-5 after only four minutes, but even more blistering rugby was to follow.

From the kick-off, Scotland scored immediately after a crashing break from Glenn Metcalfe, which left the French defence in tatters.

And when Metcalfe fed to British Lion Alan Tait, the ex-Wigan star made no mistake to add another five points for the Scots.

The visiting Scottish fans could hardly believe it - especially when Gregor Townsend dived over for Scotland's third try.

It was a remarkable opening, with the visitors causing all sorts of problems for the French - running from their own 22 and punching holes in the French defence.

Juillet then replied for France to score his first try for his country after a powerful French scrum five metres out. Castagnede's replacement Aucagne, converted, but the home side were still trailing 12-21.

Minutes later Scotland again added to their tally, with Tait touching down for his second try - after another superb break from Metcalfe.

Logan then missed an easy conversion, but yet another Scottish try made up for the mistake after another break from Townsend.

A 50-yard run from the fly-half almost ended in a try, but he was dragged down just short, before popping the ball up to Leslie for the New Zealander's second try.

In retaliation, Christophe Dominici came off his wing at pace, leaving the Scottish defence in his wake to complete the opening half's eighth try and push Fance back into the game at 19-33.

The second-half was a much quieter affair - unsurprisingly perhaps given the game's blistering opening.

Scotland - clearly looking to preserve their lead began to settle back into a more defensive style of play, with France struggling to break through a barrage of blue shirts.

Logan slotted another three points for Scotland after France were penalised for lying on the ball.

And although Aucagne retaliated for France, the French looked increasingly desperate, knocking-on and making a host of unforced errors to allow Scotland to easily defend their lead.

France: Ntamack, Garbajosa, Giordani, Comba, Dominici, Castaignede, Carbonneau, Califano, Ibanez, Tournaire, Cleda, Brouzet, Castel, Juillet, Labit.

Replacements: Laussucq, Aucagne, Lombard, Benetton, Auradou, Marconnet, Dal Maso.

Scotland: Metcalfe, Murray, Tait, J Leslie, Logan, Townsend, Armstrong, Hilton, Bulloch, Burnell, Murray, Grimes, Poutney, S Reid, M Leslie.

Replacements: Longstaff, Chalmers, Fairley, Walton, A Reid, Graham, Brotherstone.

Referee: C Thomas (Wales)
 

Wales 32 England 31

by Huw Richards. (Scrum.com)

Scott Gibbs can drop that final T form his Christian name. The Wales centre became the toast of Scotland and his last minute try, taking a pass from Wales's other Scott - Quinnell - to crash past a series of tacklers gave Wales victory and Scotland the last ever Five Nations title.

The championship trophy was out be-ribboned and ready to be awarded to England when Gibbs charged over. It was hurriedly removed from the Royal Box once Neil Jenkins had coolly landed the conversion and England lost their last chance as Mike Catt fluffed a desperate drop goal attempt.

Wales had not previously led and the irony was that England had at times looked more fluent than at any time previously this season. Gibbs and Mark Taylor, in theory Wales's main attacking weapon, had spent most of the afternoon battering unavailingly at England's impregnable midfield defence. But after an excellent first quarter, England fell victim to their old failing of inability to take chances. A record fifth consecutive Triple Crown was lost along with the Grand Slam and the title. But England cannot really complain as Scotland have been consistently the most impressive all-round team. Wales, who went into this match fearing the wooden spoon, which instead goes to France for the first time since 1969, can now approach their tough tour of Argentina and the World Cup with renewed confidence.

Maybe it was the effect of Wales being at home while playing in England, but the first half saw a complete role reversal. Previously constipated, England created two beautiful first quarter tries while supposedly free-flowing Wales scarcely threatened the English line and instead landed penalty after penalty through the boot of Neil Jenkins. He was aided in this by yet another counter-stereotype, South African referee Andre Watson, who far from operating the liberal style supposedly associated with Southern Hemisphere referees awarded an endless stream of penalties.

England struck within two minutes of the start, the club understanding between Catt and Perry paying off as the outside half's perfectly timed inside pass sent Perry hurtling through the Welsh cover to send Luger galloping to the line. Wilkinson landed the conversion and was on the mark again with a 14th minute penalty. But with Jenkins ruthlessly punishing English infringements, landing three penalties between the fourth and 17th minutes, England led by only a point before their second score. Again Catt flicked out an inside pass. This time the recipient was giant debutant wing Steve Hanley who burst over from close range. Wilkinson crucially missed the simple conversion and two more Jenkins penalties had Wales level by the half hour.

Wilkinson landed a 35th minute penalty for England who then looked to have taken a firm grip on the game when Howarth and Thomas collided under a high ball, allowing Hill to dive over and score. Wilkinson converted but Jenkins was on target for the sixth time, in injury time, to keep Wales within range at the break. And they had the perfect start to the second half.

Neil Back knocked on in his own 25 and Wales mounted serious pressure from the scrum. Colin Charvis, the outstanding forward from either side, sucked in defenders and a long pass from Jenkins sent Howarth over in the corner. Jenkins' magnificent touchline conversion levelled the scores. But England then took control for most of the second half. Wilkinson kicked them back into the lead with two penalties and captain Lawrence Dallaglio may regret the decision to kick for position rather than go for goal from 40 yards out four minutes from time.

Had England taken that opportunity, or any of a number of other openings offered to their backs, Gibbs' try would have been an irrelevance.

Verwood RUFC