Summary

  • Marcus Smith's sixth penalty proves vital as England keep title hopes alive

  • Dombrandt collects Wales line-out throw as England secured 17-0 lead

  • Adams and Tompkins score as Wales fightback rocks England

  • Hardy grabs late try but England clinch victory at sold-out Twickenham

  • Ben Youngs comes on to win record 115th England men's cap

  1. Goodbyepublished at 19:28 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    That's all from what turned out to be an exciting end at Twickenham.

    If you missed that one, have a read of Mike Henson's match report. We'll be back tomorrow when Ireland take on Italy.

    Media caption,

    Six Nations: England beat spirited Wales at Twickenham

  2. How they standpublished at 19:27 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    England have kept themselves in the fight with that victory, but still have Ireland and France to come.

    Wales face France next, before Italy on the final weekend and are now fifth in the table.

    Six nations tableImage source, BBC Sport
  3. 'Randall was outstanding' - Youngspublished at 19:25 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Youngs also took a moment to recognise starting scrum-half Harry Randall's impressive performance.

    "I thought Rands was outstanding today," he said.

    "I don’t think the magnitude of what’s happened has sunk in. I’ve tried to convince myself that today and tomorrow I will sit back and try and absorb it all.

    "Before I know it I’ll blink and we’ll be getting ready for Ireland [in round four].

    "Right now I’m getting a huge amount of joy in helping this young team. While Eddie still thinks I have value and I think I feel value, it seems to be alright."

  4. 'A fabulous occasion' - Youngspublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    BBC Radio 5 Live's Chris Jones caught up with Ben Youngs after the match.

    Youngs arrived at the interview with his young children Billie and Boris and when asked if he knew what his dad had done today Boris replied "Erm, he played".

    Youngs had a bit more to say on the achievement: "The reception felt fantastic. I still had a job to go out there and do and it was getting a bit tight.

    "Now I can reflect on that moment and to have the family witness it as well was a fabulous occasion.

    "Wales were getting their tails up a bit. We found a way but it’s never easy against Wales. They always find a way to come back."

  5. Postpublished at 19:20 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Ben Youngs became England men's most capped player today on his 115th appearance for the side, surpassing Jason Leonard's record.

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  6. Postpublished at 19:16 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Gareth Griffiths
    BBC Sport Wales

    Wales were 17-0 down before they started playing.

    Wayne Pivac's side outscored England three tries to one but ended up losing at Twickenham again in the Six Nations.

    Some outstanding performances from the likes of Tomos Williams, Taulupe Faletau, Will Rowlands and Alex Cuthbert and an impressive contribution from the replacements bench.

    Wales will be left to rue what might have been and again have to look at the indiscipline. Just so frustrating.

  7. Smith leads Six Nations top-scorerspublished at 19:13 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    After that 18-point showing, Marcus Smith stands alone at the top of the Six Nations points-scorers list.

    Here are the top five so this year, with Ireland and Italy still to play tomorrow:

    1. Marcus Smith (Eng) 48 pts

    2. Melvyn Jaminet (Fra) 36 pts

    3. Finn Russell (Sco) 25 pts

    4. Dan Biggar (Wal) 19 pts

    5. Damian Penaud (Fra) 15 pts

    Marcus Smith gives a thumbs upImage source, Getty Images
  8. Postpublished at 19:10 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I feel for the Welsh boys. having been in those scenarios before it weighs on your mind for a while.

  9. Biggar 'really disappointed'published at 19:06 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Wales captain Dan Biggar told BBC Radio 5 Live his "over-riding emotion" was frustration.

    "I'm really pleased with the character shown by the lads to get ourselves back in the game. We spoke all week about a fast start and I'm really disappointed we went 17-0 down.

    "We made some inroads in the first 25. The breakdown was a bit of a killer for us and we couldn't retain possession.

    "When we strung some phases together we caused them all sorts of problems. If we can start well we'll be right in the mix.

    "If you give good teams head starts you're going to be up against it. Hopefully in two weeks' time we can use the home stadium to get us off to a flyer."

    Dan Biggar with his hands on his hipsImage source, Getty Images
  10. 'England struggle when the game breaks up'published at 19:03 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Ireland and France are going to know that England are very well organised defensively. Really solid.

    Where England struggle, is when the game breaks up. they are not able to get into their structure and tend to defend individually.

    Ireland will probably target that.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    #bbcrugby or text to 81111 (UK only)

    Moral victory for Wales at 3 tries to 1 I think .

    Jo in York

  12. 'Wales had brief moments'published at 18:57 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Philippa Tuttiett
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Credit to Wales, they managed to get those tries on the board.

    Both teams conceded 13 penalties but crucially Wales conceded them early on in a kickable position.

    Wales have to start games better. They had brief moments where individuals like Alex Cuthbert were making line-breaks but it wasn't backed up.

  13. Postpublished at 18:54 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT England 23-19 Wales

    Tom Shanklin
    Former Wales international on BBC Radio 5 Live

    What a test match that was. It is not often you outscore the opposition with three tries and lose.

    Wales gave away too many penalties and gave them an easy lead. Wales had to work hard for their tries but they showed so much spirit. It was just that first 20 minutes where they came out a little bit cold.

    England v WalesImage source, Getty Images
  14. 'We'll look at the second half' - Smithpublished at 18:51 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Player of the match Marcus Smith said on ITV: "We know how proud the Welsh team is and we knew they were going to come back. We stuck at it as a team but we got the job done in the end.

    "The forward pack put us on the front foot really nicely. Rands [scrum-half Harry Randall] lifted the speed round the ruck.

    "We knew they were going to have their passion. Luckily we built enough of a lead. We'll look at the second half and try to build on that going into Ireland [in round four]."

    Marcus Smith high fives Jack NowellImage source, Getty Images
  15. Postpublished at 18:48 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    England will have to improve if they want to turn over Ireland and France. However it was a significant step up from Italy, showing a lot of endeavor and guts, there is lots to improve on but they will take the win.

    England celebrateImage source, Getty Images
  16. Postpublished at 18:45 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    Conversely, that defeat pretty much puts an end to Wales' Six Nations hopes given France are unlikely to lose one game, let alone two.

    The visitors put in a valiant effort in that second half.

  17. Full-timepublished at 18:44 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    FT: England 23-19 Wales

    At last, it's over.

    England boot the ball into touch and keep their Six Nations title hopes alive with a second win.

  18. Postpublished at 85 mins

    England 23-19 Wales

    Again Wales keep hold of the line-out and now have an attacking platform inside England's half.

    England continue their lung-busting defence and Maro Itoje nabs it! The England hero once agian.

  19. Postpublished at 18:43 Greenwich Mean Time 26 February 2022

    England 23-19 Wales

    Matt Dawson
    Former England scrum-half on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think Lawes went for the old 'Mr Tickle' on the intercept.

    Mr Tickle was a cartoon character with very, very long arms, kids...

  20. Postpublished at 84 mins

    England 23-19 Wales

    Courtney Lawes reaches out for an interception with one hand and it's a deliberate knock-on!

    Mike Adamson awards a penalty and Dan Biggar kicks to touch.