England have picked up their first Six Nations win over Wales in Cardiff since 2017 courtesy of a 20-10 triumph at the Principality Stadium this evening.
The match, which just days ago was in doubt due to the threat of strike action from the Welsh players, proved to be a scrappy affair in which both sides squandered numerous points-scoring opportunities.
However, it was ultimately the wastefulness of Wales which proved most costly as Warren Gatland's side were left still searching for their first point of the 2023 campaign.
Rooted to the bottom of the table after three matches, Wales will next travel to Rome to take on a much-improved Italy side in what looks likely to be a Wooden Spoon decider.
England, meanwhile, have now won back-to-back games following their opening-weekend defeat to Scotland and their hopes of winning the title in Steve Borthwick's first campaign at the helm are still just about alive, although the lack of a bonus point - in addition to upcoming games against France and Ireland - make that a tall order.
Wales went into the game off the back of another tumultuous week off the pitch, and an uncharacteristically subdued Cardiff atmosphere spoke volumes about the worrying state of the game in the country at the moment.
On-pitch matters barely helped the mood, with England scoring the only try of the first half as Anthony Watson finished off a good team move to send Borthwick's side into the break with an 8-3 lead.
Wales had numerous chances to get on the board themselves, but in the story of their campaign so far they failed to make the most of their opportunities, most notably conceding two penalties in quick succession deep inside the England 22 at the end of the first half.
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Home hopes were raised when Louis Rees-Zammit gave Wales a dream start to the second half, intercepting Max Malins's pass to sprint home for a try just 45 seconds after the restart.
That opportunistic effort was the only try for Gatland's side, though, and England responded almost immediately as Kyle Sinckler burrowed over to quickly restore their advantage.
While Wales' wastefulness and game management cost them, England were not free of blame themselves, with Owen Farrell noticeably wayward with the boot.
Indeed, the visitors could and should have been more comfortable than five points ahead going into the final 10 minutes, when their own ill-discipline in the Welsh 22 appeared to hand the home side another chance to reel England in.
However, Ollie Lawrence touched down in the corner with five minutes remaining to finally put his side out of reach, securing a second win out of three and leaving England on 10 points, with France and Ireland to come.
Wales, meanwhile, will now look to put a chaotic month on and off the field behind them to focus on their next match against fellow Wooden Spoon contenders Italy in Rome.
Barney Corkhill
