England hang tough to edge out Wales at Twickenham

LONDON :England fought back from a 14-5 down to beat Wales 16-14 in a scruffy but hugely physical Six Nations clash on Saturday, extending a Welsh winless championship run at Twickenham going back to 2012 and making it two wins from two for the hosts.

Wales led at the interval - for the first time at Twickenham this century - after a penalty try and a nicely-created second for flanker Alex Mann with England on the board via Ben Earl.

In a disjointed second half, England gradually gained control, closing the gap with a Ford penalty and Fraser Dingwall's try before Ford landed the winning kick nine minutes from time.

It was not a great performance by England, who had won only three of their previous 10 games at Twickenham, but, unlike the boos that rang round the ground when losing to Fiji in August, the crowd recognised the team's endeavour and noisily acclaimed the victory.

England, who came from 10-0 down to beat Italy last week, top the fledgling Six Nations standings after two wins – matching their championship tally from each of the last three years.

"This is a team which stays in the fight, which finds a way. It is a young side and we have a lot to learn, but we will grow together," England coach Steve Borthwick said.

"At halftime we were very composed and clear what we need to do and we had belief we would go on and find a way. In some ways we stepped forward and showed the depth of the squad in certain positions."

MAUL COLLAPSE

Wales were first on the board with a penalty try after England collapsed a maul - with Ethan Roots joining Ollie Chessum in the sin bin.

Despite being down to 13, England stormed back when Earl picked up at the back of a scrum and scuttled over. Ford failed to convert, though, as it was ruled he had