Wales 13-24 England: Eddie Jones' side secure place in Autumn Nations Cup final
England will play France in the Autumn Nations Cup final at Twickenham next Sunday after a solid 24-13 win over a highly-competitive Wales at Parc y Scarlets on Saturday
Last Updated: 28/11/20 10:11pm
England booked their place in the Autumn Nations Cup final with a 24-13 win against a highly-competitive Wales at Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli.
Tries from Henry Slade and Mako Vunipola, plus a conversion and four penalties from Owen Farrell, secured England top spot in Group A and a place in the final against France, who later beat Italy 36-5, at Twickenham next Sunday.
Wales led through an early Johnny Williams try and it was unquestionably their best performance of the autumn campaign, but the harsh reality now reads seven defeats from the last eight Tests under head coach Wayne Pivac.
Eddie Jones' men were odds-on favourites to add Wales to their recent collection of victims which features Italy, Georgia and Ireland. However, Wales, who ended a six-match losing streak against Georgia last weekend, once again raised their game for their fiercest rivals.
Despite not having their usual partisan fans to cheer them on, Wales fronted up to England's physicality and put massive pressure on them in the tackle area.
Early inroads by England at the scrum were not matched by Farrell's kicking as he sent his first effort wide of the right post. England also controlled the territory with an effective kicking game, but it was Wales who opened up the scoring against the run of play.
Dan Biggar blocked a Slade dink through before Williams hacked it on and beat the England cover defence to score. Despite the TMO asking the referee to check for a knock-on, Romain Poite decided it was a charge down and the try stood.
Another disagreement between Poite and his assistants resulted in England's first try - Biggar looked to have been taken out in the air when he spilt the ball, but Poite disagreed and England, after some big carries from Sam Underhill and Kyle Sinckler, spun it wide with Slade going over in the corner.
Farrell missed the conversion but put England ahead on the 30-minute mark with a penalty after Shane Lewis-Hughes was pinged for not rolling away.
England's scrum continued to dominate and won another penalty which Farrell converted to take England into the break 11-7 up
The physical tussle continued in the second half with Wales still not getting much parity at the set-piece. Their defensive efforts from the first half began to tell as England started to find more space in attack.
The impressive Underhill drove Taulupe Faletau back over the line from a lineout to force a five-metre scrum and when Billy Vunipola picked up from the back of the scrum, the writing was on the wall. England's forwards rampaged through six phases before Mako Vunipola hit the line, spun and was over for their second try.
Wales edged their way back into the game with two penalties from Biggar to make it 18-13 heading into the final quarter.
England were unlucky not to get their third try after a wonderful sweeping movement released Anthony Watson on the wing, however Louis Rees-Zammit - unable to show off his pace in attack - displayed his speed in defence by hauling Watson down metres out.
England did extend their lead, though, as Farrell slotted a penalty after a deliberate knock-on from Elliot Dee who escaped further sanction.
England's bench poured on the field to stop any thoughts of a Wales resurgence and Farrell added another penalty to secure the 24-13 win and ensure they head to Twickenham for the final next Sunday.