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Callum Sheedy. (Photo by David Rogers – The RFU Collection via Getty Images)
Welsh emerged clear in the final stages to beat England 40-24 in Cardiff on Saturday to clinch the Triple Crown and stay on course for a Six Nations Grand Slam.
Defeating all the reigning champions, but ended England’s hopes of a successful title defense.
England, in a match in which French referee Pascal Gauzere controversially allowed two of Wales’ four attempts to stand, struggled 17-6 to 24-24 with 18 minutes remaining.
But England’s indiscipline, a long-standing problem for Eddie Jones’s men, allowed Welsh replacement Callum Sheedy to shoot three penalties before Cory Hill’s final try completed the victory.
It was the latest chapter in a remarkable turnaround for Wales after winning just three of 10 matches in 2020 under coach Wayne Pivac.
Wales led 17-14 at halftime after two controversial tries scored by Josh Adams and Liam Williams.
England wing Anthony Watson’s try, however, narrowed the deficit before captain Owen Farrell’s penalty at the edge of the break cut the gap to three points.
England, however, could have no complaints when scrum half Kieran Hardy crossed for Wales’ third try early in the second half.
But at 24-14 behind, England responded with a Farrell penalty and a Ben Youngs try shortly after the hour.
And with Farrell adding the conversion, England was level heading into the fourth quarter.
But Wales responded by finishing with their highest score against England, their archrival.
“I am very, very satisfied for the players,” Pivac told the BBC.
“Some people will say that (luck) has been on our side the last three games, but you have to be in games to win them,” added the New Zealander.
Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones said: “I have played in some games at the end of those decisions, it is up to the referees to make them.”
His partner, Farrell, was equally cautious in discussing Gauzere’s exhibition, saying “we will control what we can control.”
He added: “I thought the intention was good, but we can’t let the teams go out as many times as we did today.”
Wales’ first attempt came while Farrell, at Gauzere’s request, was still talking to England about his discipline.
And the preparation for his second seemed to have an imitation.
But Gauzere did not send an England player to the sin-bin, and Pivac said they were “lucky” not to receive a yellow card.
‘I can’t argue with the referee’
Meanwhile, his England counterpart, Eddie Jones, insisted: “We cannot argue with the referee. The result is there and we have to accept it.”
“Wales were worthy winners.”
England knew they had to win to maintain their title hopes after a surprising opening loss to Scotland followed by a comfortable victory over timeless fighter Italy.
But they conceded three penalties in the first four minutes, with Wales’ high middle Dan Biggar kicking the hosts into a 3-0 lead before center Farrell tied.
Wales then surprised England in the 16th minute when Biggar, instead of going for the goal from a penalty, opted for a quick cross shot that Adams caught for a corner try.
Farrell, however, was still in conversation with his team, including his wings, when Gauzere allowed Biggar to take the penalty.
But despite all the protests from Farrell, the try held up and Biggar kicked a difficult conversion.
There was more controversy over Wales’ second try in the half hour when wing Louis Rees-Zammit appeared to have touched before winger Williams connected the ball.
But Gauzere, on the advice of his television match official, upheld his original decision to award a try on the grounds that Rees-Zammit had kicked the ball backward.
Biggar’s conversion made it 17-6, but England struck back when wing Watson swung around the corner after the ball was quickly recovered from a maul.
England were upset in the second half when scrum-half Hardy broke free for a try from his own quick penalty.
Sheedy, replacing Biggar, converted to put Wales two runs ahead at 24-14.
But Farrell’s fourth successful penalty and veteran scrum half’s Ben Youngs break attempt left the level of the game.
