Record-breaker Alun Wyn Jones was unable to enjoy his milestone moment as England ended Wales’ unbeaten run in style.
The 2019 Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam champions were beaten 33-19 at Twickenham to rain on the Welsh captain’s parade during a game that saw him become his country’s most-capped player of all time.
Jones’ 135th international cap – 126 coming for Wales and nine for The British & Irish Lions – would also have been coach Warren Gatland’s 15th successive victory if it wasn’t for England, who came flying out of the blocks to score two early tries.
Billy Vunipola was the man the break the deadlock in front of a sell-out crowd before Joe Cokanasiga also crossed and a mistake at the line-out from the experienced Ken Owens allowed opposite number Luke Cowan-Dickie to steal in – although Wales scrum-half Gareth Davies had scored a scintillating try of his own during the first half.
George Ford slotted three penalties in the second half and Elliot Daly added a late drop goal, which meant George North’s score and prop Wyn Jones being shunted over from close range were in vain as the mountain was already too steep to climb .
Wales, who also missed the chance to move to No.1 in the world rankings released on Monday, will have an immediate chance for revenge when they host England in Cardiff on August 17.
“It was just another game for me,” said Wales’ talismanic skipper Jones.
“We probably came out of the blocks a bit slow and you are always wary of the first 20 minutes, so we think we think have probably let in a few soft ones.
“We’ve got processes for our performance and we are well aware of where we went wrong in the first half.
“We have got another opportunity against England and this is just the first one on a journey this season so there is going to be lots to work on, which isn’t always a bad thing, but we wanted the win here.”
