Cocky England fall apart as Wales claim historic victory

What was supposed to be the start of a brave new dawn for England, World Cup runners-up less than four months ago, ended in a nightmare.

Wales, aided by an horrific catalogue of English injuries, deservedly won this RBS Six Nations opening encounter after never losing their belief, even when on the brink of what appeared to be a heavy defeat.

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Instead, after surviving a disallowed try on the brink of half-time which surely would have ended the matter, the Welsh dragon roared and two tries in a crazy three-minute spell when England lost their heads saw Wales clinch a result that has already turned this unpredictable tournament on its head.

In front of a record 82,000 crowd under the floodlights, England began confidently against the side dubbed 'Ospreylia' by virtue of the 13 Neath- Swansea Ospreys in their line-up.

As well as having the weight of history at this venue against them, Wales had bombed out of last year's World Cup before the knockout stages, but with the arrival of a new management team, Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards, they came to Twickenham in an upbeat mood.

England, sporting seven changes from their World Cup final starting team, were a balance between the old and grizzled, the experienced and the new young bucks. Although only No 8 Luke Narraway was making his debut, James Haskell, David Strettle, Toby Flood and even Paul Sackey were inexperienced, especially when it comes to this wonderful tournament.

One man who is not is Jonny Wilkinson, and he gave England the lead after Wales killed the ball straight from the kick-off. Those three early points were nullified inside three minutes by Hook after England's forwards pushed illegally in the line-out.

Strettle then made a piercing 50- metre dash that saw him dodge both Gavin Henson and Alun Wyn Jones and almost resulted in a try. Instead, he sustained a foot injury and limped off distraught in the 13th minute.

By then, Wilkinson had slotted a second penalty, his 200th for England, Lewis Moody had hobbled off to be replaced by Tom Rees, and a clearly concussed Jonathan Thomas also left the field — after a swinging arm from Wilkinson which may lead to a citing — with Alix Popham on to cover.

The home crowd were lifted by the unexpectedly early arrival from the bench of Lesley Vainikolo.

The first Polynesian to play for England, via Tonga and the New Zealand rugby league team, received the kind of reception fit for a legend, but it was a true union legend, Wilkinson, who extended England's lead with a 17th-minute drop-goal. His 28th in Test rugby, it equalled the world record.

Still, 'Big Les' did not hang around when it came to making an impact. Haskell made the initial surge before Wilkinson chipped towards the corner. The winger, 28, sporting braids and hair dyed in England colours, outjumped Mark Jones to catch the ball, was tripped but still managed to offload as he crashed to the ground for Flood to run in a try.

Wilkinson converted and with the England front five in commanding form and Wales suffering six turnovers inside half-an-hour, the signs were ominous for the men in red.

Hook managed to get three points back but England came storming back when first Iain Balshaw, then the impressive Haskell produced telling bursts before Sackey was judged to have been held up by Hook and Huw Bennett, after much deliberation by video judge Simon McDowell.

After the break, Rees failed to emerge and Ben Kay ambled on to be England's third lock on the pitch to play at blindside. Wilkinson fired over a 45th-minute penalty but Wales were making a better fist of it and reduced the deficit in the 57th minute with a Hook penalty. Henson showed his class with a weaving run and as the game passed the hour mark the Welsh began to exude self-belief.

Mark Regan and Mike Tindall departed injured as England's first-choice men fell at an alarming rate, and Hook drew Wales to within seven points after Balshaw failed to release.

In the 68th minute, after a wayward long pass from Wilkinson, Hook beat three defenders to release Lee Byrne into the corner. Hook converted to draw level.

Then a Balshaw clearance was charged down by Mike Phillips and, as the ball went through the hands of Gethin Jenkins and Martyn Williams, it was Phillip who finished the move with a try confirmed by the TMO.

Man-of-the-match Hook converted again and Wales were in heaven.