The RBS Six Nations Tournament is one of the premier international competitions in the world, an annual event that showcases some of the best talent in the world. The 2010 tournament opened with a game anticipated not so much for the match up as for the result: England v. Wales. England – the 2003 Rugby World Cup Champions – were able to pull this one out, but not without some help from Wales.
Following the 2003 RWC, with a game that was not as much the most exciting sporting event as it was a kicking clinic, there was some talk of a change in the winds. As the first Northern Hemisphere team to wrestle the Webb Ellis Cup away from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, England stood tall. That performance was quickly followed by several lackluster ones, however, which had people questioning the validity of the win.
Wales, meanwhile, had made a statement two years ago, coming from behind to beat England, at Twickenham, for the first time in 20 years. The Welsh had recent memory motivating them onward. Maybe that was the problem.
Make no mistake, England showed some good signs early of being able to run the ball, but the Welsh were aggressive in the offense, and stubborn in their defense. Arguably, it was that nervous energy that caused Welsh lock Alun-Wyn Jones to imagine that a trip to Dylan Hartley was a good idea. Quickly sin-binned, England’s Johnny Wilkinson landed the penalty points, and England never looked back. Final result was 30 – 17.
With a predictable Irish win over Italy, and France defeating Scotland, these opening round winners might just be making a move. But Wales do not have a history of quitting, the Scots – who lost a point in international rankings as a result of this loss – will not simply roll over and Italy, well, one never knows. Maybe Italy will prove the saying true: you have to play the game.
England Starting XV
15 Delon Armitage
14 Mark Cueto
13 Mathew Tait
12 Toby Flood
11 Ugo Monye
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9 Danny Care
8 Nick Easter
7 Lewis Moody
6 James Haskell
5 Steve Borthwick (capt)
4 Simon Shaw
3 David Wilson
2 Dylan Hartley
1 Tim Payne
Welsh Starting XV
15 Lee Byrne
14 Tom James
13 James Hook
12 Jamie Roberts
11 Shane Williams
10 Stephen Jones
9 Gareth Cooper
8 Ryan Jones (capt)
7 Martyn Williams
6 Andy Powell
5 Alun Wyn Jones
4 Luke Charteris
3 Adam Rhys Jones
2 Gareth Williams
1 Paul James
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