Live Commentary: Wales 16-21 England - as it happened

Good evening! It's just over an hour until the start of the 2015 Six Nations, with Stuart Lancaster England side travelling to Cardiff to face Warren Gatland's Wales. Let's start with a reminder of the lineups...

WALES STARTING XV: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts, North, Biggar, Webb, Jenkins, Hibbard, Lee, Ball, Jones, Lydiate, Warburton, Faletau

ENGLAND STARTING XV: Brown, Watson, Joseph, Burrell, May, Ford, Youngs, Marler, Hartley, Cole, Attwood, Kruis, Haskell, Robshaw, Vunipola

Wales welcome winger George North back into their starting lineup, while Richard Hibbard is also included after missing their last match against South Africa back in November.

Stuart Lancaster has had to overcome a string of injury problems to put a squad together for this tournament, but Dan Cole is back after almost a year out with a neck injury, while Danny Cipriani and Nick Easter are recalled to the bench.

There are plenty of relatives involved in this evening's match. England have two sets of brothers in their side, with Tom Youngs and Mako Vunipola on the bench, while Ben Youngs and Billy Vunipola start. Billy Vunipola is starting at number eight for England, and his opposite number, Wales's Taulupe Faletau, is his cousin.

Here's the Wales team coach arriving at the stadium a short time ago, greeted by plenty of home supporters:

What a welcome! Thanks everyone #WALvENG https://t.co/yJYtfG0kHM — Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 6, 2015

And, here are the England boys making their way into the ground earlier:

Focussed England arrive at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for #WALvENG. A huge occasion is getting ever ... https://t.co/jDOSy43uwL — England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 6, 2015

The pre-match coin toss has already taken place between the two captains, and it was Sam Warburton who won it for the hosts, choosing to take the opening kickoff.

Ahead of kickoff, the Wales captain told reporters: "Two years ago, the fact we came out with such intensity was because it was a must-win game, the last of the championship, and we only had one opportunity to win by eight points or more to take the championship. We have to treat this game with the same attitude as two years ago. It is a must-win fixture and it is that important. If we lose this one, we have three away games out of four to come and it is all uphill from there and extremely tough. It is important to win your home games."

Meanwhile, England head coach Stuart Lancaster said at his press conference: "It doesn't get any better as a set-up to the Championship. It's an iconic rugby stadium and an iconic fixture. The history between the two countries in rugby is huge. To kick it off on a Friday night, makes it a big game. The odds for Friday are irrelevant to me. We played pretty much the same Welsh team last year and we definitely believe we can go to Cardiff and win. We 100% respect that they have many British and Irish Lions, but equally we have confidence and belief that we can do the job. If we don't believe that, we'll have no chance."

Wales recent record against the England at the Millennium Stadium is impressive, but they haven't made good starts in the Six Nations for a few years, losing three of their last four opening matches at home. 11 of their starting 15 started in their last match against England in Cardiff though, so they should be in a confident mood.

England will be hoping that they can end a 12-year wait for a Six Nations Grand Slam this year, but their form was pretty average in 2014, winning six times, and losing six times. Last season's defeat to France in the first game of the Six Nations was the first time in six years that England had started this event with defeat though.

Of course, this won't be the only meeting between these two sides this year. The host nations for the 2015 rugby world cup will face each other in the group stage in the Autumn at Twickenham. Should a healthy Wales fail to beat an injury-hit England this evening, it would be a worry for Warren Gatland, with that match to come later in the year.

There's been quite a bit of debate over the roof at the Millennium Stadium this week, with England reportedly pushing for the roof to be kept open, while Wales wanted it shut. It would appear that the visitors won what some areas of the media have dubbed 'roofgate' as it's wide open tonight, although it's a still and dry night in Cardiff, so it shouldn't have too much of an affect on the pitch conditions.

In a pre-match interview with BBC Sport, Wales coach Warren Gatland has admitted that he finds it "frustrating" that he was not allowed to keep the roof shut for this evening's match, and hopes that the rules will be changed in the future to allow the home side to decide whether to have the roof closed or open.

A slightly more positive Gatland said earlier, through the team's Twitter account: "We have a chance to make our friends, family and whole nation very proud. We are really looking forward to it."

England will be hoping that they can go on better in this year's championship. They were runners-up to Ireland last season, who were led by the retiring Brian O'Driscoll, finishing seconds on points difference. Wales were one place further back, with three wins from their five games.

The pre-match formalities are starting to get underway, with the sound of a male voice choir booming around the pitch as the players and coaches start to head out.

This was England a short time ago making their way out for a warm-up in front of a rapidly filling up Millennium Stadium. As ever for rugby matches in Cardiff, it's expected to be a packed house this evening:

Props Dan Cole and @JoeMarler stand tall as they follow Chris Robshaw out for the team warm up #comeonengland pic.twitter.com/cRW9IOW2jM

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 6, 2015

REFEREE WATCH! Frenchman Jerome Garces takes charge of this match. It's the fifth year that the 41-year-old has officiated in the Six Nations. Some England fans may remember that he took charge midway through the 2011 Calcutta Cup match against Scotland when Romain Poite was injured.

The supporters in the stadium are now being treated to a pre-match laser show with kickoff around 10 minutes away. As is always the case in the Six Nations, the national anthems for both teams will be heard before the action gets underway.

Just to remind you, this isn't the only Six Nations match taking place this weekend. Champions Ireland get their campaign underway in Rome tomorrow against Italy, while Scotland travel to France tomorrow evening.

There's a bit of mind games in the tunnel before kickoff as Chris Robshaw is holding his team back until he knows the Welsh side are ready to head out, not wanting his side to be stood out in the cold waiting for the home side. As the captain leads out the players, a chorus of pantomime boos fills the ground.

Wales don't keep England waiting too long, as Sam Warburton leads his side back out just a few minutes later, with cheers, camera flashes and plenty of pyro replacing the boos that greeted England.

We've had a nine minute music & lights show at the Millennium Stadium, so we're ready for the teams. Huge noise for their arrivals #WALvENG

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) February 6, 2015

The anthems have been belted out with gusto by both sets of players, so we're just moments from kickoff now.

KICKOFF! Dan Biggar takes the opening kickoff to get the 2015 Six Nations underway.

Well that didn't take very long at all! Jonny May fails to roll away while trying to take the ball away from Faletau, giving Wales an early shot at the uprights, and the full-back fires it straight through the middle for the hosts.

England quickly looks to respond, and they get a lineout, but Burrell loses out to Richard Hibbard near the half-way line to give the ball back to Wales.

Alun-Wyn Jones manages to slice a chip to Halfpenny, who kicks it forward before giving chase himself, but he can't quite reach it in time. However, England are pinned back near their own tryline, and give away a scrum by knocking on just a couple of metres out. This is a tricky scrum to defend for the visitors.

Incidentally, Wales have the weight advantage in the scrum, but by just 5kg, outweighing England 920kg to 916kg.

Faletau digs it out of the scrum superbly before tossing the ball out wide to give the ball to Rhys Webb, who powers over in the corner to extend the home side's lead.

Halfpenny makes it two from two as he adds the extra two points with ease. What a fantastic start it's been for the home side, but can England respond?

There's an earlier injury problem for Wales as Dan Biggar appears to have picked up a knock somewhere, which has left him with blood pouring from his nose. It looks like Rhys Priestland is warming up just in case, but the Wales physio is bandaging the flay-half up. It looks like it was caused by an accidental clash with teammate Gethin Jenkins.

England have the lineout, which Dylan Hartley takes, and overthrows. Burrell tries to gather it, but he knocks on, giving Wales another scrum, but Jenkins is penalised for collapsing the scrum, so England will kick is further downfield.

It's a better lineout this time, as Robshaw gathers it before passing back to Haskell. Burrell tries to drive it forward, but he can't force his way through.

Youngs manages to get it out wide to Mike Brown, who chips is forward perfectly for Anthony Watson to pounce on to get England off the mark. George Ford will take the conversion.

OFF THE POST! England can't make it seven, as Ford's conversion is kept out by the upright.

Dylan Hartley tries to make the most of a fumble in the lineout, but Biggar gets over it to force a penalty, giving Wales another lineout near the half-way line. England win it back though, and Faletau misses a tackle while trying to stop Brown getting to a high ball. England are certainly starting to look more dangerous after an opening 10 minutes to forget for the visitors.

George North pushes Mike Brown back as the England man catches a kicked ball, but Watson gets back to help out his teammate, keeping the ball for the visitors. Wales get the lineout though, allowing Webb and Faletau to put England under pressure again, but the ball comes lose, and Davies ends up going backwards as he tries to keep the move alive.

Leigh Halfpenny is absolutely automatic with his kicking as he adds another three points for Wales from only just inside his own half. Cole leaves his hand in while bringing down Biggar to give away the penalty, allowing the full-back to extend the home side's lead further.

Wales try to turn the screw as Burrell mishandles a Brown kick to give the home side another scrum. The Welsh side have looked formidable in the scrums so far, and will be hoping to make the most of another chance inside their own half.

This time it's England who get the penalty as the scrum collapses, allowing Ford to boot it deep for an England lineout.

Haskell tries to set up Hartley for a run from the lineout, but his path is blocked, and he has to hand it off to Vunipola. England keep the ball moving though as the edge of the Wales 22.

Worrying scenes for the Wales fans as George North is floored as Kruis tries to kick a ball that the winger is diving for, catching North is the face with his boot. The doctors are obviously checking him for a concussion, and it looks like he'll temporarily go off for further checks, bringing Liam Williams on in the mean time. North doesn't look too shaken up, he seems more eager just to get back on!

George Ford adds to the scoreboard for the first time as he boots the ball through from the 22-metre after Jamie Roberts had hit Jonny May while the England man didn't have the ball.

MISSED PENALTY! It's a rare error from Leigh Halfpenny as the full-back has an almost instant chance to restore the eight-point lead for Wales after Cole fails to roll away following a tackle on Halfpenny. It's one of the shorter kicks Halfpenny has attempted today, but he just slices it to the left.

England are trying to punish Wales for the penalty miss, with Mike Brown trying to get on the end of a chip forward, but Webb manages to turn it over and get the ball back for the hosts as Brown loses the ball and knocks on trying to get it back.

Good news for Wales - George North is now back on the sideline and ready to come back on after being checked over for a concussion.

North tries to get involved immediately as he attempts to put Kruis off as he gathers a kick from Biggar, but the England man keeps hold of it. Lydiate gets it back for Wales and passes to Ball, before Davies kicks it forward, but Brown has it covered and clears the danger for the visitors.

Faletau has provided a real spark in this first half when Wales have been able to get him involved as he almost does it again, bursting forward from nowhere to look for Lydiate, but his path to the tryline is blocked.

Wales can't quite get over the line before the break, but Biggar gets it in line with the posts, so boots it over to add three more before the interval.

So it's the kicking game that has made the difference in the first half as both sides scored a try in the opening 40 minutes, but Halfpenny's penalties and Biggar's drop goal with the last action of the half have left the hosts in control, but it's far from over.

Rhys Webb's opening try of the night was his 12th of the season. It makes him the top-scoring scrum-half for club and country in Europe.
© Getty Images

Anthony Watson has probably been the best player of the match so far for England. As well as scoring the try that got them back into the game, he's made a number of crucial tackles, and worked well with Mike Brown and Ben Youngs down the right.
© Getty Images

Here's a rather ominous fact for England from statistics gurus Opta:

11 - Wales have held a HT lead of 8+ points vs England on 11 occasions and went on to win all of those matches. Crucial. #WALvENG — OptaJonny (@OptaJonny) February 6, 2015

The players are coming back out ready for the second half.

RESTART! George Ford gets the second half underway.

England are piling the pressure on early in the second half as Robshaw and Vunipola try to find a way through, but the Wales line is holding firm on the edge of their own 22.

Joseph and Brown try to set up May for a run over down the line, but Jones blocks his way. Vunipola tries to power past Faletau, but his cousin holds him back. England are gradually inching closer though.

England are right back in this match as Jonathan Joseph gets the ball and fakes a pass to Robshaw before rounding Jones and grouding it behind the posts to leave Ford with what should be a simple conversion.

Ford makes the conversion with ease, so England are just a point back after five minutes of the second half. It's been a high-tempo England in this second half, and it's caught Wales napping.

Wales have the lineout, but Hibbard overthrows to give Hartley a chance to break. He gets another chance moments later, but is penalised for a dummy, although it actually looked more like he just mis-cued the throw, giving England the penalty. Wales looks a bit clueless at the minute.

MISSED PENALTY! George Ford misses for the second time, and to be fair it was from near the half-way line, but the miss costs England the chance to edge ahead for the first time.

George North tries to inspire the Welsh side back into action as he gets the ball from the kick before bursting forward, breaking off several tackles to make up ground.

England have a lineout, which they appear to win, but the referee penalises them for a non-straight throw, so Wales have the scrum. The Wales scurm was a bit hit and miss in the first half, but it's good this time, and they force a lineout near the England 22.

George North tries to use his pace to get Wales into a try-scoring position, but he's brought down by Cole before Marler turns it over and kicks it clear. That's a wasted opportunity for the hosts.

There's another worrying site for Wales as Leigh Halfpenny is lying prone with an apparent injury. It looks like they're checking his neck, and the full-back looks a little concerned.

England make the most of the stop in play to make a couple of changes. Among them, Mako Vunipola comes on, joining brother Billy on the pitch.

After a fairly thorough examination, Halfpenny is passed fit to continue, which will be welcome news to Wales as they'll surely need his kicking ability at some point if they want to stay in front against this resurgent England side.

England are penalised for collapsing the scrum, so Biggar boots the ball towards the England 22 for a lineout for the hoem side. They almost caught England out with their last, but England drive against the Wales lineout this time, forcing them backwards.

In fact, there are two sets of brothers on now as Tom Youngs has joined brother Ben in the England lineup.

From an England scrum, Wales try to intercept the ball, but Haskell wins it back and think he's going over for the try, but he's forces into the pad around the post, keeping him out.

YELLOW CARD! Alex Cuthbert has been sent to the sin bin for an infringement in the run up to Haskell's run. Chris Robshaw asks for a review, to see whether England should be awarded a try, but it didn't hit the post, so England will have to settle for the penalty.

For the first time in this match, England are ahead!. George North kicks it over from right in front of the posts following Cuthbert's hold on Haskell.

It's all going wrong for Wales at the moment. They have a scrum, but are penaltised for collapsing again, allowing England to give themselves a lineout deep in Wales territory again. Wales have led for most of the match, but have never really opened up a massive lead. Now that England have their noses in front, they're clearly keen to build on their lead.

England try to make the most of their man advantage as Haskell and Vunipola look to find a way down the right, but Burrell knocks on during a tackle, so it's a welcome break for Wales, who have just over four minutes remaining before Cuthbert returns.

Wales manage to get the ball away from the scrum as Faletau flings it out wide to Halfpenny, who batters his way through a couple of England backs before being brought down. Wales just need to hold on two more minutes and they'll be back up to 15.

Wales are making a change in the middle as Luke Charteris and Mike Phillips come on. Meanwhile, Ben Youngs is replaced by Richard Wigglesworth for England. Youngs has done well today, but Wigglesworth is stronger in the kicking game, so should be able to help England shut Wales down.

Davies kicks it out from the back, and Burrell recovers it, but his pass to Brown is knocked on and dropped by his teammate. Had Brown held on to that, he would surely have been away down the right flank.

Good news for Wales - Cuthbert is back on! His first action will be to try and help Wales with a scrum inside their own half.

Meanwhile, England have made a change too, with 36-year-old Nick Easter coming on for his first cap since the last world cup.

Faletau tries to create something from the scrum, but Wales are forced to kick it, giving the ball back to England. Haskell barges his way towards the try line, but the ball goes out for a Wales lineout.

Dave Attwood thinks he's scored a try for England that would surely seal the win at this stage, but the referee wants to check it with the video officials.

NO TRY! The replays show an obstruction by Nick Easter in the build up to Attwood's score, so the try is chalked off for England. Stuart Lancaster shakes his head as the announcement is made. The visitors must try to keep their heads, as just a penalty could be enough to put Wales back in front late on.

Biggar finds Cuthbert, who makes the most of his 10-minute rest in the sinbin with a quick run. Halfpenny then gets it out the other side for North, but the wing is halted at the half-way line. The quick runs have certainly woken the Welsh supporters back up now. England will have to be careful too, as this is within Halfpenny's kicking range.

wales a penalised for not releasing, so England will have the penalty. It looks like their going for the goalposts to try and seal it, but they're just inside their own half.

George Ford is accurate from 45 metres out to leave Wales needing a try inside the final minute, but Billy Twelvetrees is quickly closing the ball down to try to get possession back for the visitors.

England's dominant second-half performance gives them the win as Wales fail to score in the second half. Stuart Lancaster's side really did look superb in the second 40 minutes.

That will be a huge disappointment for Wales after leading for so long, but they have no-one to blame but themselves after making error after error after the break.

So, that's all from this match, but join us again tomorrow as there are two more matches to come in the Six Nations this weekend. I'll leave you with this shot of Jonathan Joseph scoring England's second try. Goodbye!
© Getty Images