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Mon 30 May 2016 | 10:07
England beat Wales in tour warmup match at Twickenham

33
Comments

England scored five tries to beat Wales 27-13 in a warmup match at Twickenham on Sunday. Wales led 10-0 early but the Six Nations champions came back through tries to Luther Burrell and Anthony Watson, before scoring another three in the second half.

While many first choice players were missing due to the Aviva Premiership final, injuries and French based players, the match was entertaining and England's Eddie Jones will take confidence from the result ahead of their Test series with the Wallabies.

Flyhalf George Ford had a horrible day with the boot however, missing an unbelievable six from seven kicks, however coach Jones backed his man.

"Everyone has a bad day missing goal kicks - Tiger Woods misses putts. It's just one of those things. I think Ford played exceptionally well for us. I thought he was outstanding," said Jones.

Jack Clifford scored in the second half after Dan Cole appeared to knock the ball backwards, however some fans and even Welsh pundit Scott Quinnell, felt that the ball had gone forword so the try should have been disallowed. The referee and TMO consulted and felt there was nothing wrong, so the try was awarded.

Dan Biggar was clearly none too pleased, kicking up a fuss in the referee's face.

England plays three tests against Australia, beginning in Brisbane on June 11. Wales tours New Zealand in June, playing three tests and a midweek game.

Match highlights below and then another look at the controverisla Clifford try, with a spider-cam replay and Quinnell's exchange with Will Greenwood

Jack Clifford's controversial try

Posted By: Grant Constable

33 Comments

  • drg
    10:09 AM 03/06/2016

    Totally agree with you there Stroudos...

    Lets face it, World Rugby have set up these laws about no citing unless it's worthy of a red card, but could they seriously suggest they couldn't change anything to suit their views? As you said, issue a statement about condemning the actions and then go from there.

    Biggar is getting too big for his boots and I hope he gets some serious bruises in NZ.

    As for Carter and Wilkinson, I literally cannot imagine. Wilkinson looked so insularly focussed that I'd be surprised to see him react to an elephant wondering across the pitch - either that or he'd maintain some sort of "ok, elephant on the pitch, how to I play around this" kind of attitude - and that is what made him so great, he focussed on improving his own game, not faffing around with others. Carter looks less absorbed with his own mind, but still focussed on playing the bloody game in the best positive manner he can.

    I'm with you about the players surrounding Mitrea too... it was horrendous to see... if this is what the future holds for Rugby then it's a very sad future.... and I'll solely blame Biggar for being a complete wanchor and causing it!

    Actually, I think AWJ has form for getting in referees faces too actually....

  • stroudos
    9:10 AM 03/06/2016

    Sadly true DrG. It's the start of a slide into total lack of respect for the officials. I never thought I'd see the day where a group of rugby players would surround a ref like that, but the absence of any kind of punishment for this I'm afraid will lead to much, much more of the same in future.

    - Mitrea should have immediately carded Biggar when he snatched the ball and restarted the game with a penalty to England. And he should have given Alun Wyn Jones a stern warning for getting in his face too.
    - Gatland should NOT have defended Biggar. He should have publicly chastised him and privately warned him that any repeat of that behaviour would lead to him being dropped from the team.
    - The citing commissioner should have ordered Biggar to a disciplinary committee, which should have handed out a minimum ban of two weeks. (Probably couldn't do this under the current laws, without my next point).
    - World Rugby should have published a statement, condemning Biggar's behaviour and quickly implementing a guideline that dissent of that type will always result in a card and a ban.

    The fact that none of the above happened means that we can expect more footballesque twattery in future.

    You're right that it seems to be flyhalves that are starting to increasingly act as the chief bellends too. I wonder if it's simply because their role bears the most resemblance to playing football?? No, that's not it. It is definitely a recent development too; I can't even imagine what it would look like to see Wilkinson or Carter behaving like this.

  • drg
    2:18 PM 02/06/2016

    What has happened recently that has made all these new (ish) 10's come into the game with some sort of chip on their shoulder and a petulant attitude?

    What happened to the old school 10's which were focussed on being silent until necessary and being that pivotal point in the team where on each extreme (forwards and backs) you have some ****wit in their own capacity but the 10 was the epitome of neutrality and cool headedness who could ruin the oppositions day by slotting a bunch of penalties or drop goals.

    Maybe a few bad apples are spoiling the bunch, but Biggar is being a mouthy shit on most occasions, Farrell is just a mouth on legs, Ford had a sneaky go (where the referee said "oh I'll change my mind then" but then seems to have quietened down somewhat, Sexton has turned into some miserable faced git who gripes and whinges and feigns injury..... I don't know how the Scots are holding up, they seem to be doing ok as their 9 is the one doing the barking - (which is ok in my eyes). French don't seem to bad - although I don't know whether they've made their mind up who their 10 is anyway.... Italians don't have a 10....

    As for the rest of the world... I'm not sure how they're getting on, they all seem to be too busy winning stuff to have a chip on their shoulders...

  • colombes
    10:43 AM 02/06/2016

    you're welcome dear keyboard tackler

  • drg
    6:57 PM 01/06/2016

    Yup, disgusting scene at around 1:45!

  • drg
    6:34 PM 01/06/2016

    Ergo *chortle*

    Precisely my point, anyone with half a brain wouldn't moan at Owens - so I'd assume Biggar wouldn't do it....

    Mitrea needs to make a stand before teams target him as a weakness in their pre match briefings...

  • gonzoman
    5:41 PM 01/06/2016

    Wrong. It is physically possible, and it happened - it's pretty clear from the overhead cam, if not before.

    1 - Ball is thrown at an angle backwards towards the Welsh goal line
    2 - Ball encounters large English hand between point of origin and the intended target
    3 - Force from original pass causes ball to rebound in a direction roughly opposite the original direction of travel

    If you want, I can go into how the angle of the hand and the angular velocity of the ball can cause the rebound to go backwards, but I figured the less technical explanation above would be ample rebuttal to your point!

  • pwf1
    2:08 PM 01/06/2016

    I think it was more to do with the way Dan Biggar turned his back on the play which allowed the gap for Jack Clifford to race through. Weren't we always taught to play to the whistle? That and his petulance must be a worry for Wales.

    On a positive, England looked sharp and hungry and have the midfield to be able to get the ball out wide. We must remember that Wales were rusty, and they missed more tackles than I can remember, but their inability to pass in midfield is woeful. What is the point of having one of the best wingers in the world (George North), and then not getting the ball to him?

  • finedisregard
    9:07 PM 31/05/2016

    Dan Biggar, you stink.

  • danknapp
    4:36 PM 31/05/2016

    Agreed, arguing with the referee is worse than two consenting adults wrestling each other to the floor and going at it for a sustained period, while the officials shout at them to stop because what they're doing is illegal.

    I know some people think it's immoral, but I love seeing two big men trying to absolutely destroy each other. It's like Courtney Lawes, his is a bloody impressive tackle and I love seeing it being used on a smaller man.

    [/innuendo]

  • danknapp
    4:30 PM 31/05/2016

    I know, not nearly enough green in it.

  • stroudos
    4:19 PM 31/05/2016

    DrG: "I don't actually think he'd try it against Owens (I may be wrong), but a clever player would recognise that you get no quarter with NO, especially if you start moaning at him."

    You get no quarter with Owens, ERGOyou don't start moaning at him.

    Mitrea here has twice in quick succession allowed Biggar, a noted whinger, carte-blanche to get in his face and question his authority. He's making a rod for not only his own back, but for other refs' too.

    He should have immediately penalised Biggar (ie restart after conversion with penalty to England) and warned the prick that if he spoke to him in that aggressive way again (or at all, as he was not the captain), then he'd definitely get a yellow.

  • stroudos
    3:55 PM 31/05/2016

    http://www.thebatavian.com/files/users/60/Howard%20Owens/gcfairtractorpull-2.jpg

  • 10stonenumber10
    3:19 PM 31/05/2016

    What's a protractor?

    That should be made into a t-shirt.

  • jonnyenglish
    12:38 PM 31/05/2016

    If your crap is that colour I'd go to a doctor. Immediately.

  • breakaway
    12:01 PM 31/05/2016

    My tuppence worth, as a complete neutral. The ball was intercepted, went straight down and bounced backwards. Play on.

  • stroudos
    11:59 AM 31/05/2016

    Love the chat between Quinnell and Greenwood there. "What's a protractor?". :)

    Also, even allowing for white-tinted spectacles, I agree with Greenwood - the ball went backwards off Cole's hand. *Not* a knock-on and the try is good. It was a delightfully delicate touch from Big Dan and Biggar's only complaint should be with himself for throwing a shit, laboured pass that was begging to be intercepted.

    Whether you agree with the decision or not, Biggar should be hauled in front of a disciplinary hearing and a very long ban needs to be handed down. When you add in his previous for this kind of dissent, he really does need to be heavily reprimanded. I'd seriously like to see something like a four-week ban. You do NOT treat the match officials like that.

    That scene in the second video, around 1:45, with Biggar remonstrating, Alun Wyn Jones barracking the ref and other players also trying to get in his face, is quite despicable. It will be commonplace, as it is in football, if this type of incident is not immediately and severely punished.

  • 10stonenumber10
    10:23 AM 31/05/2016

    I prefer the William Webb-Ellisian Calendar. It's currently the year 193, or 13 A.D. (After Dropgoal) if you follow Zen-Wilkinsology

  • drg
    9:56 AM 31/05/2016

    It's very strange to see the words "England of old" and them not being used in reference to the 2003 team....

    I suppose we should now refer to them as "Ancient England".....

    Ancient England - 2003 era
    England of Old - 2003 - 2015(?)

  • drg
    9:53 AM 31/05/2016

    There is a big difference, however what I'm suggesting is that if Biggar realises that he can try something with Mitrea and have an influence then credit to him for discovering a crack in the game.

    "Nigel Owens would not have taken it so well"... I agree, however I don't actually think he'd try it against Owens (I may be wrong), but a clever player would recognise that you get no quarter with NO, especially if you start moaning at him.

    As I said, I definitely don't like seeing it but when you have a predictable sport in the form of 3 props in the front row, boiler house, back rows built like second rows, a 9 built like a big oldschool back row, a 10 that can kick a penalty from halfway and 11-15 all built like second row/back row players, it's not surprising that players try to gain the extra edge wherever they can... (Not my description of the Welsh team, just more my description of the textbook team these days)...

  • colombes
    12:42 AM 31/05/2016

    "Nothing clear and obvious?"
    Don't understand the tmo decision as it was clear and obvious.
    The question the ball would have gone backwards is not even a question, as it is physically impossible. It's just his speed and his body position which give this impression.

  • 10stonenumber10
    6:47 PM 30/05/2016

    England of old would have never let Ford get to 7. They would have carted him off, put their hopes on the sub and complained when the change of game plan disrupts momentum.

    As Jones quite rightly said, the rest of his game was more than adequate, kicking requires different nerves to game management... The misses tested character. All 23 missed those penalties, sometimes it causes heads to drop but England kept attacking until the 80th

    Hungry rugby by England, Wales as a whole just didn't turn up.

    The commentary was interesting too... the live broadcast praised Lawes' hand off for Yarde's try. The BBC stuff only talked about Yarde's finishing, completely missing the point of the move.

  • dancarter
    6:04 PM 30/05/2016

    Surely there is a difference to adapting your play to the referee's interpretations of the laws and arguing with a referee once he has made a decision? Players don't go up to the referee to give their thoughts on a decision once they have been pinged at the breakdown.

  • drg
    3:08 PM 30/05/2016

    England player on the far left on the picture at the top looks like someone left a skid mark on his jersey....

  • drg
    3:07 PM 30/05/2016

    Which to be fair in this day and age is good work from Biggar. I don't think the world should support or reward his behaviour regarding that sort of thing, however if he spots a weakness in either the opposition or referee, it's sort of his duty to play to it....

    Look at how well NZ do at things like the breakdowns, if the referees don't ping them for certain things, they continue to do it, if they do ping them, they adapt and don't do it...

    It's a good skill, even if Biggars example of it is one that should be discouraged and that I despise....

  • welshosprey
    3:04 PM 30/05/2016

    Think Halfpenny is supposed to be back for the last games of the T14 season but there's no chance of him playing for Wales until the autumn at least.

  • jimmy23
    3:00 PM 30/05/2016

    In regards to that TMO decision, I think what matters is if it came off the Welsh player after Cole got a hand to it as the ball does hit the ground behind the point of coming into contact with him (if that makes any sense). Still not overly convinced that was the right decision, however the way Biggar behaved was atrocious.

    Was great to see Lawes and Launchbury put their hands up though, if there's one position we're doing well in, it's the Locks.

  • welshosprey
    2:48 PM 30/05/2016

    The ref was Mitrea in that game too. Biggar knows he's a poor ref and a bit of a pushover.

  • dancarter
    2:37 PM 30/05/2016

    Poor from Biggar, again. He did the exact same thing against Ulster recently. The referee should tell him where to go if he approaches him to complain about a decision, especially while Ford is preparing to take the conversion. Disappointed that the referee didn't give him a yellow card and/or penalise him from the restart. Nigel Owens would not have taken it so well.

  • guy
    2:25 PM 30/05/2016

    To my knowledge: for a knock on, the ball must move in the direction of the opposition's goalline. That doesn't seem to be the case here so I am okay with that try being awarded. I am not okay with the petulant behaviour shown by Biggar though.

    On the match itself: as a neutral I found it quite entertaining. Fortunately Ford left his kicking boots in the dressing room, otherwise it would have been an landslide.

  • katman
    2:19 PM 30/05/2016

    Although it wouldn't have changed the outcome, the ability of the TMO to get that call so wrong is disappointing. If you have multiple views and lots of time, there really is no excuse.

  • drg
    1:57 PM 30/05/2016

    I hope Wales do well down under. I'm not a fan of them, nor an enemy of NZ, but it's just always a bit more fun when a team does well (even if they lose) rather than it just being a predetermined tour.

    Will Halfpenny feature any time soon?

    I find it interesting that there appear to be a few stalwarts in both teams (Eng and Wales) that don't tend to feature all that much due to injuries. Actually same can be said for Ire (probably all teams)... I think of players like Warburton, Tuilagi, Sean O'Brien and indeed poor 1/2p and with the exception of 1/2p for the most part all that pops into my head is "oh yeh, those injured guys right?"....

  • welshosprey
    12:44 PM 30/05/2016

    Abysmal effort from us, doesn't matter if Cole knocked that ball on because England were dominant regardless (although in a closer game I'd say he knocked it down and it bounced backwards meaning knock on surely?)
    England will get even better with their players coming back whereas we only get to look forward to J.Davies, Charteris and a semi-fit Warburton to return.

    Send prayers our way for the NZ tour.

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