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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Sport
Will Freeman

Jonny Wilkinson gives verdict on England vs Wales first-half with 'ruthless' assessment

England and Wales went to battle in the first-half at Twickenham on Saturday evening with four penalties from Marcus Smith giving the Red Rose a 12-0 lead at the break.

England didn't quite hit their stride but were able to capitalise on Wales' high penalty count with Smith dispatching four of his kicks when it could have been 18-0 had he scored all of his kicks.

Wales showed flashes with Alex Cuthbert looking impressive on his 50th cap but England's extra class showed as they opened up a deserved lead.

However, it was a slow first-half with the referee having to stop play a lot for various penalties making the game a contrast to the thrilling Scotland vs France match earlier in the day in which France produced a scintillating 17-36 victory.

Speaking in the ITV studio at half-time World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson offered his view on the slow nature of the first-half, he said: "It's taken a bit of time to get through that first half - play has been broken up a bit.

"Wales have got going at times with some interesting stuff in their own half and they look as though they're ready to just get excited in this game but it hasn't really happened.

"England have played what they've been given and been quite ruthless with penalties getting the lead but it just hasn't quite been there." he added.

"The best part of the play is when England have played with a bit more expectation and trust that it's going to open up if we (England) just keep doing what we're doing."

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