It was not exactly the confidence-building send-off Wales would have wanted for the toughest challenge in the sport – a three-test away series against world champions New Zealand.
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Wales’ last two visits to Twickenham saw them beat England in the World Cup before their old rivals gained revenge with a 25-21 Six Nations win in March, a victory that helped the Red Rose brigade complete a Grand Slam.
The pressure was on Ford, with a lot of talk of whether Owen Farrell should wear the No 10 jersey in Australia. England will be pleased with their clinical edge, if not the goalkicking, as it’s rare for any side to score five tries against Wales.
Eddie Jones is ready to unleash a “streetfighter” and one of his bowling balls when England face Wales on Sunday, while a third forward of rich promise has been ordered to bloody himself for the cause. We have got to be really careful in the game that we don’t allow that to creep in.
Harrison has exploded on to the Aviva Premiership scene this year at Northampton with his powerful ball-carrying and physicality and Jones says he can be England’s “streetfighter” as he steps into the void left by Chris Robshaw who misses this weekend’s Test to attend his brother’s wedding.
Conditions were ideal for Wales’ third trip to Twickenham of the season, and England made a bright start when wing Anthony Watson ran from deep, found his Bath colleague Joseph in support, whose kick into space had the visitors back-pedalling and relieved to clear the danger.
George Ford missed six kicks at goal from seven attempts but Luther Burrell, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs, Jack Clifford and Marland Yarde claimed touchdowns, while Ford added one conversion.
” Ellis Jenkins has been called into Wales’ squad to tour New Zealand after injury to Dan Lydiate”, a statement from the governing body read.
Jack Clifford plays at No. 8 in place of Vunipola for his first start in what will be his sixth test appearance. Dan Biggar added the conversion and a subsequent penalty to give the visitors a 10-0 lead. We were blowing a bit so to get the game under our belt was pretty good.
Wales flanker Dan Lydiate has been ruled out of next month’s tour of New Zealand due to a shoulder injury. Then we go to Wales and the Cook Cup is something England hasn’t won in Australia.
“We definitely needed the run; players haven’t played for a while, haven’t played at that level for a long time.
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Maybe I should have a chat to the crowd as well and find out what they think”, said Jones, tartly.
