England down Wales in tight Cardiff tussle

Fullback Freddie Steward mastered an aerial bombardment to help England to a 20-10 victory over Wales in the Six Nations at Cardiff's Principality Stadium on Saturday.

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The victory saw England extend their excellent recent record against Wales, having now won eight of their past 10 Six Nations meetings, and they will take on France and Ireland in their last two fixtures.

The defeat for Wales, coming after a crisis meeting with rugby bosses averted a player strike over contract issues, condemned them to a third straight opening Six Nations defeat for the first time since 2007, having already lost to Ireland and Scotland.

In a tight match that featured a lot of aimless kicking and little creativity, England had led 8-3 at the break thanks to an Owen Farrell penalty and Anthony Watson try, while Leigh Halfpenny scored a sole penalty for Wales.

A Louis Rees-Zammit intercept try, converted by Halfpenny, kickstarted the second half before England responded through a Kyle Sinckler try, converted by Farrell.

Block-busting centre Ollie Lawrence bagged England's third try four minutes from time to seal the win.

In a frenetic opening to what had been described as a pivotal game for both sides, England worked the ball through hands while Wales countered with two turnovers and clearing kicks for more defensive duties.

The deadlock was broken by a Farrell penalty from 45 metres.

The helter-skelter nature of the game continued and with Wales failing to discover any real front-foot attack or spending any time in English territory, it was the visitors who further capitalised.

The ball was moved left after a Lawrence midfield bust, Alex Dombrandt sending out a beautiful pass