Wales captain Gethin Jenkins leads out his team
A day to remember: Re-live Wales 30-3 England from 2013
Almost seven years to the day Wales sealed Six Nations title glory with one of the greatest displays of the modern era in Cardiff.
Stuart Lancaster’s England were chasing a Grand Slam and riding the crest of a wave following an autumn victory over New Zealand. Wales were underdogs going into the game.
With Warren Gatland away on a sabbatical ahead of the 2013 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, Rob Howley took the reins as interim head coach.
It proved to be a difficult start to their Six Nations campaign with a 30-22 defeat to Ireland in Cardiff which piled on the pressure following a difficult autumn series.
But historically Wales – who were defending the Grand Slam they won in 2012 – have always thrived in the face of adversity and they hit back with a hard-fought 16-6 victory over France in Paris.
Highlights from 2013 when Wales stunned England with winger Alex Cuthbert leading the way with a try double as England's hopes of a coverted Grand Slam bite the dust
After their home reversal against Ireland, former captain Sam Warburton credited Ryan Jones with the turnaround.
Warburton – now a technical adviser in Wayne Pivac’s Wales set-up – said: “Ryan was very wise. He told us you don’t always have to win Grand Slams to win the Six Nations.
“If we win every game from now on we can still win the Championship.”
Wales winger Alex Cuthbert slides in at the corner against England
And so it would prove with relatively comfortable away victories over Italy and Scotland setting Wales up for a historic clash with England at what was then the Millennium Stadium.
Match days in Cardiff are always special, but once in a while a game comes along which will be remembered in the annals of rugby history forever.
Saturday, March 16 2013 was one of those days.
England may have beaten the All Blacks the previous year, but nothing could have prepared them for what they would face in Cardiff that day.
With captain Chris Robshaw and his England team on the field, Wales captain Gethin Jenkins let his opposite number stew in the cauldron of an electric Cardiff atmosphere.
The rendition of Mae Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau cannot have been sung with such passion and fervour since it was first belted out in the old national stadium in 1905.
While England had a Grand Slam in their sights, Wales knew exactly what they had to do.
Wales captains Ryan Jones and Gethin Jenkins lift the trophy as Wales celebrate winning the 2013 RBS 6 Nations title in Cardiff
A victory by nine clear points would not only deny England a clean sweep but would see Wales crowned Six Nations champions.
The hosts came out of the blocks firing with four Leigh Halfpenny penalties giving them a commanding 12-3 lead at the interval.
Wales upped the ante in the second half as they smashed England back at every collision, were dominant in every set-piece, and were quicker to every loose ball.
A magnificent finish from Wales wing Alex Cuthbert gave the hosts some further breathing space before Warburton charged from deep inside his own half into England’s territory.
The ball recycled and spread wide to Justin Tipuric whose delicious dummy and pass sent Cuthbert over for his second try.
Dan Biggar sealed the Championship with a late drop goal as Wales wrapped up a commanding and barely believable 30-3 victory.
“We said from the start that we had a bit of blip, but we didn’t want to let go of that trophy. We wanted it back and we are so glad that we have,” said try scorer Cuthbert.
“It is indescribable to be fair. The last few years have been with such a great group of guys and we fully deserve this. We have worked hard in the last few weeks and it has all worked out.
“We couldn’t ask for anything better.”
The last few years have been with such a great group of guys and we fully deserve this. We have worked hard in the last few weeks and it has all worked out
