England limped over the line against a brave Wales at Twickenham with two first half tries from Jonny May – and a controversially disallowed try to Gareth Anscombe – proving the difference. Here are our three takeaways from the match:
Aaron Shingler is the real deal
The Wales No6 had never been to Twickenham but on his first visit he certainly made an impact.
The 30-year-old Scarlets flanker may be relatively old to be making his mark on the Test arena but his mobility, defence and work at the breakdown were outstanding – overshadowing the much vaunted England backrow.
Shingler played a big role in Scarlets winning the PRO12 title last year but the former England Under 19 cricketer was not expected to play a key role for Wales because of the riches available in the back row.
However following injuries to Taulupe Faletau, Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton the way opened for the 1.97m, 105kg blindside flanker to join his club-mates in the national side.
One break early in the second half typified Shingler’s impact. The ball was turned over in Wales’ half and Shingler sprinted through a gap showing surprising speed to outpace the defence.
He came to the full back and with a man in support tried an audacious kick ahead.
In the end the move came to nothing but there was enough on show to suggest a permanent place needs to be found for Shingler in the Dragons’ starting XV.
Maro Itoje was made to work hard against Wales.
England are not as good as they think they are
Here were worrying signs for England.
After much vitriol before the match about Rhys Patchell having no “bottle” and how England would monster Wales – in the end the hosts just got home.
They were outplayed for long stretches by a Wales team without Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Rhys Webb and Leigh Halfpenny – ruled out with a foot infection shortly before kick-off. Put that quartet in to finish off the platform set-up by the impressive Wales pack and the result may have been different.
Wales dominated for long periods both in the set-pieces and with some high quality close-in handling from the forwards.
If not for some desperate defence and a high Wales error rate, England would have found the going a lot tougher.
England look tired, devoid of ideas and reliant on a touch of class from a few key players. On this performance they look decidedly beatable with Ireland – and even Scotland and France – capable of dethroning the champs.
England are becoming increasingly dependent on Owen Farrell.
Farrell needs to be wrapped in cotton wool
For a team with such a winning recent record, 24 wins from their last 25 matches, England looked short of truly world-class players.
The pack especially, even the majestic Maro Itoje, looked very human and were backpedaling for much of the afternoon.
Without doubt the one player who is near the very best in his position across the globe is fly-half/ centre Owen Farrell.
Almost everything good England did came from him – his handling, positional play and vision were outstanding.
The moment of class for Jonny May’s first try when Farrell spotted the empty spaces behind the Wales defence and put in a perfectly- weighted grubber kick was precision at its best and England certainly got a lift when George Ford departed with Farrell moving into the No10 spot. Without him England would be rudderless.
England had some other standouts – Chris Robshaw who never stopped working and Jack Nowell who got good go-forward when he came on in the second half – but overall this was a workmanlike performance from a team that is nowhere near the level of the All Blacks – dream though they might.
On this performance England will not beat Ireland, whether it’s at Twickenham or not. The Red Roses simply look like they have hit a wall and desperately need some spark.
