For the third time in 12 years Wales have beaten England in Cardiff in a World Cup warm-up. It may not count for a huge amount by the time the big show kicks off in France next month but Warren Gatland and his players will feast on this performance as if it were the finest foie gras. England could have no complaints and their final 33-man squad for the upcoming tournament may well reflect that stark truth.
Clearly these remain early days but almost all the vim, vigour and verve came from the hosts. Second-half tries from the experienced Gareth Davies and George North duly put the tin lid on a deflating and concerning evening for Steve Borthwick’s side. Where was the freshness and bounce of a team visibly on the up? Most of it was to be found clad in red jerseys, vindicating Gatland’s pre-match insistence that something tasty was brewing.
