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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Matthew Southcombe

What actually happened at that disastrous Wales lineout and why they were fuming

Wales spent the first half of their Six Nations clash with England well and truly under the pump.

They trailed 12-0 after having very little ball in the opening 40 and things got worse early in the second half.

In the 42nd minute, a lineout just metres from their own try line went horribly wrong as the throw from Ryan Elias completely missed its target and went straight to Alex Dombrandt.

The English No. 8 powered over the line to extend the hosts' lead.

It may have looked calamitous from Wales but they were furious with referee for Mike Adamson, who they believe missed a shove at the lineout.

Welsh lock Adam Beard was supposed to jump to claim the ball from Elias, but he never got off the ground as he was crucially nudged by opposing lock Maro Itoje.

Maro Itoje nudges Adam Beard out of the way before England score (S4C)

The TMO checked the try but appeared to be paying more attention to Dombrandt's grounding, despite the protestations of Elias and Beard.

Nevertheless, the try stood.

Marcus Smith missed the conversion and an opportunity to rub salt in the wound.

But it turned out to be a defining moment in the game. Wales charged back into the match with three tries but more penalties from the boot of Smith kept the hosts out of sight.

The final score was 23-19, meaning Dombrandt's five-pointer was decisive.

"Yes, he was," Wales boss Wayne Pivac replied when asked if he felt Beard was pushed.

"We’re disappointed with the try. Had we had an opportunity to review what happened at the lineout, I don’t think it would have been given.

"[Beard] was chased down the lineout and bumped, which you can't do but it wasn't picked up and the try stands.

"It's just unfortunate that it wasn't picked up. But looking at the replay we've seen, there was an offence there."

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