Six Nations 2024: England revert to type in Wales win as fans leave Twickenham happy

England have been determined to entertain towards Wales on their return dwelling however, in the top, solely the end result mattered.

They had to do it the onerous manner as George Ford’s 71st-minute penalty denied Wales a primary Six Nations away win in England since 2012 as the hosts overturned a half-time deficit to win 16-14.

Hooker and new captain Jamie George is the driving pressure behind England’s ambition to re-energise their London base with an attacking model of rugby, however for now the underwhelming victory towards their neighbours from the west was deemed a “huge step”.

“The result was massively important,” a relieved George stated after his first dwelling Test as skipper.

“I beloved each second of it from the stroll into the stadium to the ultimate whistle. The fans seem like they’d a very good time out and that’s what we finally wished to do. Did we wish to put a greater efficiency on the sector? Of course.

“But I beloved each second and I actually felt everybody in the stands did to. We felt an enormous quantity of delight coming from the stands and that’s what we love.

“This is just the first step but getting back to winning ways at Twickenham was vitally important.”

Twickenham has felt much less like a fortress and extra of a nervy cauldron in the final 12 months.

The hosts suffered a primary ever loss to Pacific Islanders Fiji in their final dwelling match earlier than the World Cup, 5 months after a document dwelling defeat by France.

But the environment on George and England’s return was palpable earlier than a ball had been kicked.

Thousands of fans lined the walkway to greet their heroes and information them into the sanctuary of the house dressing room, deep contained in the bowels of the stadium.

The noise adopted the gamers on to the pitch as they warmed up earlier than rising to a crescendo as they re-emerged for the anthems.

England banged on the door early on however their assault failed to pierce by means of. A pause in play noticed the stay band shortly launch right into a efficiency of Gala’s Freed from Desire.

The crowd responded and the decibels remained excessive.

But whereas the assault failed to gentle the contact paper, England’s new blitz, carried out by defence coach Felix Jones, remained comparatively resolute.

“I thought we were physically in control of the game,” George added.

“Wales’ assault was good however I felt comfy in our capacity to hold going and put them below strain.

“I believe Felix would love us to defend 100 phases at a time.

“We would love to keep away from that however we find it irresistible. [Previous defence coach] Kev Sinfield did an excellent job in laying the foundations and Felix has come in with a loopy quantity of power. It’s infectious.

“The boys have purchased into what he’s doing and now we have a better understanding of what he desires from us.”

When the sport appeared to be edging away, England reverted to their pragmatic kicking sport to take a look at the Wales defence.

The strain instructed and the hosts opened the door to victory after Josh Adams knocked on the excessive ball earlier than Fraser Dingwall scored in the nook and Ford added the match-winning penalty.

Bigger exams for England will come in their remaining three matches towards Scotland, Ireland and France however 4 factors towards Wales is reward for his or her vociferous fans and permits time to proceed engaged on their attacking fluency.

“We are fairly clear on who we wish England to be shifting ahead. The conversations now we have with the coaches and gamers is inclusive,” George stated.

“We need an surroundings folks love nevertheless it’s not simply the laughing and joking, it is the method of getting higher.

“It’s essential for us to hold constructing on that.

“To come out on the constructive finish of that end result, with the battle and the character we confirmed, is a big step for us.”