England 16-14 Wales: George Ford plays key part with two penalties as Steve Borthwick’s side come from behind to prevail in Six Nations clash

If Barry John had been watching from heaven, he probably would have gone with a few minutes to spare. This was certainly not rugby of the Gods. It was messy and tense and ended with an English victory that will not be remembered as one of the generational classics.

George Ford sparked a second-half fightback, pushing England to two wins from two in the Jamie George era. There were moments when Welsh fans prayed that Dan Biggar would swap his field suit for a pair of boots as the visitors coughed up their half-time lead. The 12-year wait for a Six Nations victory at Twickenham continues.

In the end it was about a happy homecoming for the English. The standout player was Wales’ Tommy Reffell, but his Ardie Savea-esque interventions in attack and defense were not enough.

The sights, smells and sounds of Whitton Road remain the same on the walk to the stadium. The annual pilgrimage past the fresh donut stands and the street preachers. The queues outside the Cabbage Patch and ticket sellers traveled from East London to West. There was so much familiarity and yet so much uncertainty. There were 30 players in Saturday’s matchday squads who did not participate in the 2023 edition of this competition. Owen Farrell’s mural now has a ghostly presence on the West Stand. A rivalry arose again.

Alex Mann would hardly be recognized walking through these streets, but the Wales winger scored the try just before half-time on his second cap to give Wales a two-point lead. It was the result of Welsh discipline, not conceding a single penalty in the first half, with England on the receiving end of two yellow cards.

England center Fraser Dingwall celebrates after scoring a try in the match against Wales

The England players celebrate after the final whistle, while Wales’ Nick Tompkins is dejected

From day one, England has talked about breathing life back into this ancient place. They walked into the stadium and jogged around the edge of the field before kick-off. Small details that on their own will do little to soften the scar tissue of just three wins here in ten games. The bottom line was that their performances on the pitch got the pulse racing, but that didn’t happen until the 72nd minute.

England had three visits to the Welsh 22 in the opening ten minutes but left with zero points. New era, old problems. Ollie Chessum was convicted for a high shot at Keiron Assiratti and he was soon joined by Ethan Roots, who pulled down a maul as Wales charged towards the line. Result: penalty attempt.

It took a moment of defensive brilliance to prevent Wales from getting further ahead. Maro Itoje caught rookie No. 10 Ioan Lloyd trying to run the ball from his own line and forced a turnover penalty. England opted for the scrum and Ben Earl charged from the base to score. However, George Ford was indicted before he had a chance to kick off the conversion.

England held off a 25 phase attack from Wales. A feather in the cap of their new defensive coach Felix Jones, whose face appeared on the big screens when Joe Marler scored the goal to convert possession. It was patient, disciplined and aggressive, but in the final minute of the half England were broken again. Reffell intervened with a turnover and clearance, before Mann’s try gave Wales the first half-time lead in Six Nations history.

Wales only had to make 37 tackles in the first half – compared to 117 by England – but rookie full-back Cameron Winnett was on hand to intervene with an attempted save on Elliot Daly early in the second half. Ford scored the opening points of the third quarter and there were vulnerabilities in the Welsh scrum as they brought in rookie prop Archie Griffin, who has yet to start a Premiership match for Bath.

England won a penalty at the set piece and kicked for the corner. They attacked in nine phases, before Daly passed to Fraser Dingwall, whose try reduced the deficit to one point. Ford took control of proceedings and targeted Wales with spiral bombs and a 50-22. The hosts began to take control of the area and when Mason Grady was convicted for a deliberate attack in the 72nd minute, England’s number 10 finally kicked his side into the lead. It was exciting until the end, but both teams feel like they have a lot more to offer.

England’s Jamie George acknowledges the crowd after his team’s 16-14 victory

England’s Ben Earl celebrates with teammate Theo Dan during victory against Wales

Alex Mann dives to score Wales’ first try in their Six Nations encounter against England

Wales fly-half Ioan Lloyd converts his country’s first try as they take on England

England head coach Steve Borthwick talking to the fourth official during his team’s victory