Warburton set the tone with a huge defensive effort, tackling anything that wore white. By the end of the game England would have been sick of the sight of Warburton and his back row colleagues Toby Faletau and Dan Lydiate who dominated the breakdown throughout.
England will be left scratching their heads, wondering how they can have so much possession yet come away without coming close to crossing the Welsh try-line. The left Cardiff tryless and more to the point, clueless.
England were forced into a late change before the kick-off after Chris Ashton was unable to shake off an ankle injury which gave Bath’s Matt Banahan his chance with last week’s star back, Delon Armitage, moving onto the bench.
Banahan was in the action from Rhys Priestland’s kick off. George North snaffled the ball away from his finger tips to set up a ruck, from where England were penalised. Priestland stepped up and landed a long range penalty.
England hit back immediately through Toby Flood with a penalty before Sam Warburton’s pack took the game to their opposite numbers. Wales drove England off their own ball in a scrum underneath their own posts to concede a penalty. Priestland’s trusty right boot did the rest.
Banahan was inches short of scoring the first try of the match but somehow Shane Williams and James Hook combined to stop the towering winger.
England had a series of scrums close to the Welsh line but despite a clear advantage in the set piece they squandered their chance as Gavin Henson relieved the pressure with a clearance kick.
England surged back downfield to set up another penalty opportunity after Wales were pinged at the breakdown. The England pivot made no mistake to level the scores 6-6.
England had a complete monopoly on possession but dogged Welsh defence frustrated their attempts in attack.
Gavin Henson departed early from the fray after an arm injury forced him off in the 33rd minute, to be replaced by Scott Williams.
Wales were finding it difficult to get their hands on the ball as England dominated territory and possession but somehow the men in brilliant white failed to dazzle.
Wales’s defence finally parted in the last move of the first half when Mike Tindall burst free from halfway. England powered towards the corner before Shontayne Hape only had Luke Charteris to beat but the mighty Dragon roared and floored the big Kiwi to the ground to leave the score tied 6-6 at the break.
Wales brought on Aled Brew at the break for Priestland who had suffered a thigh injury. Shane Williams moved to full back with the Dragon going to the wing with Hook moving to fly half.
Roberts was sin binned from the re-start, preventing Tindall from releasing the ball. Flood made Wales pay dearly with his third penalty of the afternoon as England hit the lead,
England continued to hammer away at the Wales line but the Welsh defence held firm.
Wales rallied with Warburton setting the example, powering into enemy territory with gusto. His pack followed him and England were finally stretched in defence themselves. In the 58th minute the roof lifted off the stadium when Hook spotted a gap and danced his way over from range to put Wales back in front. Hook added the extras to put Wales 13-9 in front against the run of play.
Hook nudged Wales further ahead with a long range penalty in the 68th minute to ensure England had to score a converted try to level matters. From what had gone before, that looked an unlikely prospect.
Their hopes were boosted when Mike Phillips was yellow carded for coming in from the side. Wales would have to play the rest of the match a man down as England went for the jugular.
Despite Mark Cueto and Armitage’s best efforts, England fumbled and bumbled their way towards full-time. Hook put Martin Johnson’s men out of their misery in the last minute with a monster penalty from halfway to record a famous victory.
Scorers: Wales: Try – Hook; Con – Hook; Pens – Priestland (2), Hook (2)
England: Pens – Flood (3)
