Arundell Hat-Trick Powers England Clear

In wet conditions that promised chaos from the outset, it was England who adapted fastest. After George Ford opened the scoring with an early penalty, the hosts struck decisively as Guy Pepper punched holes through the Welsh defence before Ford spread the ball wide for Arundell to stroll over for the opening try.

Wales’ fragile resistance was then punctured by a disastrous spell that saw both Nicky Smith and captain Dewi Lake sent to the sin bin within a minute for infringements at the line-out. With a two-man advantage, England were clinical. Jamie George opted for a scrum instead of an easy penalty, and the resulting set-piece dominance allowed Ford to delicately kick wide for Arundell’s second.

Ben Earl soon added to the damage, crashing over out wide as England continued to exploit the extra space. The rout was completed before half-time when a loose Welsh pass was intercepted and moved quickly to Arundell, who completed England’s first Six Nations hat-trick since 2019 to send the hosts into the interval with a commanding 29-0 lead.

Brief Welsh Response After the Break

Wales showed some resolve early in the second half and were rewarded when Dan Edwards’ precise punt picked out Josh Adams, who finished smartly for the visitors’ only try of the afternoon. Edwards added the conversion to momentarily lift Welsh spirits.

However, any hopes of a comeback were short-lived. England’s defensive intensity, marshalled superbly by their back-row and reinforced by Richard Wigglesworth’s influence, ensured Wales struggled to build sustained pressure.

England Bench Adds Late Flourish

The introduction of Marcus Smith, Henry Pollock and returning captain Maro Itoje injected fresh energy into England’s play as they turned the screw in the final quarter. Tom Roebuck crossed for a well-worked try, before a penalty try was awarded following sustained pressure near the Welsh line.

Ben Earl later shifted into midfield as England experimented tactically, continuing to probe Wales with new shapes and patterns. The afternoon was capped off in emphatic fashion when Tommy Freeman powered over on the final play of the match, maintaining his remarkable record of scoring in every Six Nations fixture last season.

England Momentum Builds, Wales Woes Deepen

The victory marked England’s 12th consecutive win and fuelled growing belief that Steve Borthwick’s side can mount a serious title challenge. Their blend of accuracy in attack and ferocity in defence proved far too much for a Welsh side still searching for stability.

Wales, who have now won just two of their last 24 Test matches, face an ominous task next weekend as they prepare to take on defending champions France. England, meanwhile, head to Edinburgh for a stern examination against a wounded Scotland, buoyed by an opening performance that was as authoritative as it was ruthless.

Line-ups

ENGLAND

15-Steward; 14-Roebuck, 13-Freeman, 12-Dingwall, 11-Arundell; 10-Ford, 9-Mitchell; 1-Genge, 2-George (capt), 3-Heyes; 4-Coles, 5-Chessum; 6-Pepper, 7-Underhill, 8-Earl.

Replacements: Rodd, Cowan-Dickie, Davison, Itoje, T. Curry, M. Smith, Pollock, Spencer.

Sin-bin: Itoje (52′)

WALES

15-Rees-Zammit; 14-Mee, 13-James, 12-B. Thomas, 11-Adams; 10-Edwards, 9-T. Williams; 1-Smith, 2-Lake (capt), 3-Griffin; 4-D. Jenkins, 5-Beard; 6-Mann, 7-MacLeod, 8-Wainwright.

Replacements: Carre, Francis, Plumtree, Grady, Deaves, Carter, Hardy.

Sin-bin: Smith (17′), Lake (18′), B. Thomas (66′)

Stats

ENGLAND (29) 48

Tries: Arundell (3), Earl, Roebuck, Freeman, Penalty try

Conversions: Ford (4)

Penalties: Ford

WALES (0) 7

Tries: Adams

Conversions: Edwards

Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)

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Tomos Williams briefly restored Wales’ lead with an impressive effort before late tries from Joel Sclavi and Nicolas Sanchez sealed the win for the Pumas. This victory earned Argentina a spot in the semi-finals against New Zealand at Stade de France in Paris.

The turning point in the game came when referee Karl Dickson, who had replaced the injured Jaco Peyper, made a controversial decision to allow a hit by Argentina’s Guido Petti on Wales’ Nick Tompkins. This decision led to a try for Argentina, shifting the momentum in their favor. Despite Wales’ efforts to recover, Sanchez intercepted a pass from Sam Costelow to secure the win for Argentina.

This match marked the end of the road for Wales in the World Cup, a disappointing outcome after they had topped their pool. Head coach Warren Gatland’s return in 2022 had raised hopes, but they fell short in this crucial encounter. It was also the final international appearance for fly-half Dan Biggar, who had valiantly returned from injury.

With key players missing on both sides due to injuries, the game was a rollercoaster of intense moments. In the end, Argentina’s passionate supporters celebrated their team’s well-deserved victory and a place in the semi-finals, replicating their success from 2007.

Match Summary

Quarter-Final 1 |Wales 17:29 Argentina

Wales Scores:

Argentina Scores:

TRIES Joel Sclavi (68′), Nicolas Sanchez (77′)
CONV Emiliano Boffelli (69′, 78′)
PENS Emiliano Boffelli (39′, 45′, 44′, 48′), Nicolas Sanchez (81′)

Referee:

Jaco Peyper

Man of the Match:

Emiliano Boffelli (Argentina)

Highlights

For everything about the Rugby World Cup 2023 check out our guide here.

Wales secured a comprehensive victory over Georgia, completing a clean sweep of their World Cup pool matches. Louis Rees-Zammit led the charge with a stunning hat-trick, setting up Warren Gatland’s side for a likely quarter-final showdown with Argentina or Japan.

In a thrilling encounter, Tomas Francis, Liam Williams, and George North also found the try line for Wales. However, Georgia mounted a spirited second-half comeback, with Merab Sharikadze, Vano Karkadze, and Davit Niniashvili scoring tries.

The celebration in Nantes was bittersweet for Wales, as head coach Warren Gatland confirmed Taulupe Faletau’s tournament-ending broken arm. Additionally, Gareth Anscombe and Liam Williams suffered injuries during the match, adding to Wales’ concerns.

After bonus-point wins against Fiji and Portugal and a convincing victory over Australia, Wales secured their spot atop Pool C. In contrast, Georgia, playing for pride, struggled to match the Welsh intensity.

Despite a dramatic pre-match injury to Gareth Anscombe, Wales dominated from the start, with young Sam Costelow impressively filling in at fly-half. Their early pressure paid off when Francis powered over from close range.

Wales continued to apply pressure, and Williams extended their lead after a clever pass from Costelow. Georgia, however, fought back, with Sharikadze breaking through for a try.

As Georgia made halftime substitutions, they showed renewed vigor in the second half, but Wales’ defense held firm. Rees-Zammit’s try from a loose pass put the game further out of reach.

The match featured its share of drama, including yellow cards and contentious decisions. Rees-Zammit’s hat-trick-sealing try added to the excitement.

Wales’ fifth try came through North in the dying moments, securing their perfect pool record and setting their sights on the quarter-finals in Marseille.

Warren Gatland praised his team’s determination, saying, “Even though we weren’t at our best, we got the job done.” The Welsh squad will now prepare for their upcoming knockout stage clash.

Match Summary

Pool C | Wales 43:19 Georgia

Wales Scores:

Georgia Scores:

TRIES Merab Sharikadze (35′), Vano Karkadze (59′), Davit Niniashvili (62′)
CONV Luka Matkava (36′, 60′)

Referee:

Mathieu Raynal

Man of the Match:

Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)

Highlights

For everything about the Rugby World Cup 2023 check out our guide here.

Australia’s performance, on the other hand, left much to be desired, as they managed only two penalties courtesy of Ben Donaldson. Eddie Jones’ Australia team is now on the brink of an unprecedented pool stage elimination, facing the very real possibility of exiting the tournament prematurely.

Wales, under the guidance of head coach Warren Gatland, demonstrated exceptional rugby prowess, delivering what could be considered one of their finest performances ever. This resounding victory not only secured their quarter-final spot but also set a new record, surpassing their previous best win against Australia in 1975.

Captain Jac Morgan continued to shine, and Taulupe Faletau and Gareth Davies showcased their class throughout the match. The only setback for Wales was an injury to talismanic fly-half Dan Biggar, which forced him off the field in the first half. However, Anscombe stepped up to the plate, excelling with six penalties, a conversion, and a drop-goal.

Wales now looks ahead to their upcoming match against Georgia on October 7th in Nantes. A victory in that game will officially guarantee them the top spot in their group, with only two match points needed. This sets the stage for a probable quarter-final showdown against Argentina, Japan, or Samoa in Marseille the following weekend. Meanwhile, England remains the clear favorite to win Pool D.

Wales’ journey to the quarter-finals is a testament to their remarkable revival under Warren Gatland. Just a few months ago, few would have believed that Wales could secure a quarter-final spot with such ease and speed. The team faced significant challenges, including a lackluster performance in the 2023 Six Nations, where players even threatened strike action over contractual issues. However, Gatland’s leadership, coupled with a focus on nurturing young talent, proved to be the winning formula.

Intensive training camps in Switzerland and Turkey during the summer played a pivotal role in fostering team unity and resilience. Gatland’s faith in the younger generation, following high-profile retirements, paid off handsomely. The team started their World Cup campaign with maximum bonus-point wins against Fiji and Portugal and culminated their pool stage journey with an extraordinary performance against Australia.

In stark contrast to Wales’ resurgence, Australia’s campaign in the 2023 Rugby World Cup has been marred by turmoil and uncertainty. While the Wallabies have not been officially eliminated from the tournament, their chances of progressing now depend on a series of unlikely results, including Wales defeating Georgia and Georgia triumphing over Fiji.

Australia’s struggles have put their coach, Eddie Jones, under immense pressure. The team’s recent performance, including a shocking defeat to Fiji, has led to criticism and questions regarding Jones’ selections, especially his decision not to include experienced players like Michael Hooper and Quade Cooper in the squad.

Jones defended his strategy of building towards the 2027 World Cup but faced backlash from fans and pundits alike. Reports of a secret Zoom interview with the Japanese national team further added to the turmoil within the Australia camp.

The match between Wales and Australia showcased the stark contrast between the two teams. Wales capitalized on their exceptional teamwork, exemplified by a brilliantly executed try that originated from a training ground move. Nick Tompkins and Jac Morgan played pivotal roles in setting up Gareth Davies for the opening try.

While Australia managed to reduce the deficit with a penalty, Wales’ relentless pressure and Anscombe’s precise kicking proved decisive. Wales continued to dominate in the second half, with Anscombe adding to his tally with another penalty before providing an exquisite chip for Tompkins to score. Morgan’s try from a driving maul sealed the emphatic 40-6 victory for Wales.

As the final whistle blew, Warren Gatland’s jubilant expression captured the essence of an epic evening in Lyon. Wales had not only secured their place in the quarter-finals but had also sent a powerful message to the rugby world with their stellar performance.

Match Summary

Pool C | Wales 40:6 Australia

Wales Scores:

Australia Scores:

PENS Ben Donaldson (9′, 14′)

Referee:

Wayne Barnes

Man of the match:

Gareth Anscombe (Wales)

Highlights

For everything about the Rugby World Cup 2023 check out our guide here.

The first half saw Portugal impress with their attacking prowess, yet they found themselves trailing 14-3 at the break due to Wales’ tries by Louis Rees-Zammit and captain Dewi Lake.

A late inclusion, Jac Morgan, made an impact with a try for Wales, while Portugal’s Nicolas Martins countered with a try of his own. Taulupe Faletau sealed the bonus point for Wales with a late fourth try.

The match took an intense turn when Portugal’s Vincent Pinto received a late red card for a reckless high boot, leaving his team with 14 players. While Wales didn’t deliver their best performance, credit was given to Portugal for their daring attacking approach.

In contrast to their historical encounter in 1994, where Wales triumphed 102-11, this match was far more competitive. Despite a significant gap in World Rugby rankings, Portugal’s semi-professional squad showcased their determination.

Wales underwent extensive changes to their lineup, with only a few remaining from their previous victory over Fiji. The game highlighted both the inexperience and adaptability of the new-look Welsh side. The win secured valuable points for Wales, as they closely monitor the outcome of other Pool C matches.

Match Summary

Pool C | Wales 28:8 Portugal

Wales Scores:

TRIES Louis Rees-Zammit (9′), Dewi Lake (43′), Jac Morgan (56′), Taulupe Faletau (83′)
CONV Leigh Halfpenny (10′, 44′, 57′), Sam Costelow (83′)

Portugal Scores:

Stade de Nice, Nice

Referee:

Karl Dickson

Man of the match:

Jac Morgan (Wales)

Highlights

For everything about the Rugby World Cup 2023 check out our guide here.

Fiji scored four tries as well, with Nayacalevu, Tagitagivalu, Tuisova, and Doge crossing the line. Wales won 38-34 after Radradra dropped the ball near the end.

Biggar was the man of the match with 12 points from his kicks. Wales made 248 tackles to Fiji’s 70, showing their defence. The win boosted Wales’ chances of reaching the quarter-finals after Australia beat Georgia in the same pool.

It was Gatland’s fourth World Cup as Wales coach, after a difficult preparation with a player strike threat. Wales overcame Fiji’s challenge and took a vital step towards World Cup glory.

Match Summary

Pool C | Wales 32:26 Fiji

Wales Scores:

TRIES Josh Adams (7′), George North (29′), Louis Rees-Zammit (48′), Elliot Dee (66′)
CONV Dan Biggar (30′, 49′, 67′)
PENS Dan Biggar (2′, 24′)

Fiji Scores:

TRIES Waisea Nayacalevu (13′), Lekima Tagitagivalu (17′), Josua Tuisova (73′), Mesake Doge (78′)
CONV Frank Lomani (15′, 18′), Teti Tela (73′)

Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Referee:

Matthew Carley

Man of the match:

Dan Biggar (Wales)

Highlights

For everything about the Rugby World Cup 2023 check out our guide here.

The Scots are second in the table, level on points with leaders Ireland, and a victory in France would keep their hopes of a first Six Nations title alive.

Meanwhile, Ireland will play against Italy in the opening match of the weekend. The Azzurri have lost both of their games and sit fifth in the table, despite some promising performance.

England meets Wales in Cardiff in this timeless classic. The match was threatened with cancellation due to a strike by the Welsh players.

What     Italy v Ireland

Where   Stadio Olimpico, Rome

When    14:15, Saturday 25th February

How to watch    ITV

Odds      Italy 14/1, Tie 50/1, Ireland 1/50

Ireland is looking strong and full of confidence after reaffirming their position as the top-ranked rugby team in the world. They have won their previous matches against Wales and France, scoring a total of 66 points and conceding only 29. These stats make their attack and defense the best in the tournament.

Ireland is facing Italy, which they have beaten in their last 12 consecutive matches. However, they lost unexpectedly to Italy in 2013, so Andy Farrell will be wary of his team not losing their focus. The game is taking place in Rome and is expected to be difficult.

Last year’s clash between Ireland and Italy saw Ireland cruise to a 57-6 victory after Italy was reduced to 13 men inside the opening quarter in Dublin. This year, odds are 8/13 for a yellow card in the game and 7/2 for a red card.

What     Wales v England

Where   Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

When    16:45, Saturday 25th February

How to watch    BBC

Odds      Wales 21/10, Tie 22/1, England 10/23

The current Welsh rugby team, led by Warren Gatland, has been struggling with poor performances in recent matches.

They suffered a 34-10 loss to Ireland, followed by a 35-7 defeat against Scotland, leaving them at the bottom of the table with no points.

Off-field issues leading up to their recent game threatened to postpone the match and added to their woes.

Even Gatland himself has expressed regret about not knowing the problems with Welsh rugby before returning to the job.

In their upcoming match against England, Wales is expected to continue their poor form, and England is favoured to win with a -8 handicap.

Although England won against Italy in their last match, they are still adapting to the methods of their new head coach, Borthwick.

What     France v Scotland

Where   Stade de France, Saint-Denis

When    15:00, Sunday 26th February

How to watch    ITV

Odds      France 2/7, Tie 25/1, Scotland 3/1

Scotland, on the other hand, is experiencing a boost in confidence after winning their last two matches against England and Wales.

They are set to face France at the Stade de France and are favored to win. The match is expected to be high-scoring, with both sides enjoy an attractive attacking style.

Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou, and Romain Ntamack lead France’s impressive roster, while Scotland’s attacking weapons include Finn Russell, Stuart Hogg, and Duhan van der Merwe.

Although France has the advantage of playing at home, Scotland is expected to put up a good fight and potentially win for the second time in a row at the Stade de France.

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