England secured a 23-19 victory over Wales in the Six Nations as they managed to prevent their opponents from securing a comeback.
Marcus Smith landed six penalties, with England keeping their hopes of glory alive.
Here’s how the players rated at Twickenham, with Adam Hathaway assessing England and Stefan Thomas running the rule over Wales.
Maro Itoje showed signs that he is getting back to his best as England overcame Wales
ENGLAND – By Adam Hathaway
Freddie Steward 6
Caught in no-man’s land for Wales’ first try but solid under the high ball as usual but not the quickest
Tackles 1 Runs 11 Metres 82
Freddie Steward had a mixed performance for England but still contributed to the victory
Max Malins 6
Miscommunication with Steward for the Josh Adams score but willing to get his hands on the ball at other end
Tackles 4 Runs 7 Metres 32
Elliot Daly 6
Late call-up to the XV after Manu Tuilagi withdrawal and had some handy involvements with the boot. Needs more in attack
Tackles 9 Runs 3 Metres 14
Henry Slade 8
Peach of a 50-22 was wasted by England but Slade is getting more authoritative as he nears his 50th cap. Still got more in him but kicked superbly
Tackles 7 Runs 4 Metres 9
Henry Slade is becoming more authoritative for England and he also kicked superbly
Jack Nowell 8
Came off his wing and made plenty of ground in the heavy traffic, like a back row on the floor. Defended well and he is back
Tackles 11 Runs 5 Metres 51
Marcus Smith 7
Equalled his best points tally in Tests with 18, probed Welsh defence without shredding it and did his share of tackling
Tackles 11 Runs 7 Metres 20
Marcus Smith made a major impact for England as he equalled his best tally in Tests with 18
Harry Randall 6
One good snipe in first half and managed things well before giving way to record breaker Ben Youngs on the hour
Tackles 3 Runs 2 Metres 12
Ellis Genge 7
Hit the line hard with ball in hand for 72 minutes and got the honours just about in battle with Welsh tight heads
Tackles 10 Runs 13 Metres 30
Luke Cowan-Dickie 4
Day to forget for the Exeter man who missed a line out then went off injured in the 25th minute.
Tackles 0 Runs 2 Metres 2
Kyle Sinckler 6
First out of the tunnel for his 50th cap and first to carry the ball. Pinged at one scrum but they were a mess all game
Tackles 10 Runs 10 Metres 10
Charlie Ewels 5
Nearing 30 Test caps and yet to stamp himself on a game. Did his share in the line out but needs to do more round park
Tackles 6 Runs 9 Metres 20
Maro Itoje 9
More prominent than he has been in last two Tests and inching back to his best. Double figure tackle count, crucial turnover at end
Tackles 12 Runs 8 Metres 23
Courtney Lawes (capt) 7
Monstered Ross Moriaty amongst others and back in business but could easily have been carded at the death for deliberate knock-on
Tackles 14 Runs 8 Metres 15
Tom Curry 5
Could have had a yellow card and not as involved as normal but made his tackles. Off at half-time after head knock
Tackles 7 Runs 2 Metres 2
Alex Dombrandt 7
Made the most of Welsh overthrow at line out on 43 minutes and showed more of his Harlequins form than so far for England
Tackles 13 Runs 16 Metres 53
Replacements: Jamie George (for Cowan-Dickie 25) 6, Joe Marler (for Genge 72) 5, Will Stuart (for Sinckler 68) 5, Nick Isiekwe (for Ewels 68) 5, Sam Simmonds (for Curry HT) 5 , Ben Youngs (for Randall 62) 6, George Ford (not used), Joe Marchant (for Daly 74) 5
WALES – BY STEFAN THOMAS
Liam Williams 5
Sent to the sin bin for a cynically killing the ball. Improved as the game went on.
Alex Cuthbert 8
Justified his selection with some powerful breaks and made several dents in attack.
Alex Cuthbert justified his selection for Wales as he made some powerful breaks
Owen Watkin 6
Watkin has returned to the test scene by putting in two solid performances.
Nick Tompkins 7
Is turning into the glue of the Welsh midfield. Marshalled the defence well and deserved his try.
Josh Adams 7
Caused havoc whenever he had the ball. Solid in defence and crossed the whitewash.
Dan Biggar 6
Led his side well as usual but very difficult to hit top form behind beaten pack..
Tomos Williams 6
A box of tricks with one outrageous offload catching the eye. Didn’t have enough of a platform.
Wyn Jones 6
Won his scrum battle with Kyle Sinckler and prominent around the park.
Ryan Elias 5
Carried well but the lineout malfunctioned at key points of the game.
Although Ryan Elias carried well, the lineout malfunctioned at key points of the game
Tomas Francis 6
The scrum was one area Wales got on top, while he put himself about around the park.
Will Rowlands 6
Stole a key lineout in the first half and was one of Wales’ more prominent tight five forwards.
Adam Beard 6
Did well to thwart a couple of English mauls but needs to offer himself more as a ball carrier.
Ross Moriarty 5
His ill-discipline killed Wales in the first half but more prominent after the break.
Ross Moriarty endured a difficult time for Wales, with his ill-discipline proving costly
Taine Basham 5
Suffered due to Mike Adamson’s inconsistent interpretation at the breakdown but was very dynamic.
Taulupe Faletau 8
Remains one of the world’s best No 8s. Wales are a different side when the Bath man plays.
Replacements: L Brown (for T Francis 21) 5, J Davies (for O Watkin 25) 5, G Thomas (for W Jones 45) 3, J Morgan (for T Basham 55) 6, K Hardy (for T Williams 69) 5, D Lake (for R Elias 69) 5, G Anscombe (for L Williams 72) 5
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