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With the official World Number One spot up for grabs, this was always going to be more than a warm-up match for both Wales and England.
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Wales fielded a full strength side to face an experimental Eddie Jones’ England team – but this was in Twickenham, where Wales have won just three times in 24 years.
Sadly for Wales, it was they who looked like the experimental side as Eddie’s England outplayed them across the park.
Here’s our Wales player ratings.
15. Liam Williams
Combined nicely with Josh Adams at times. As a unit the English back three dominated their Welsh counterparts, but the Saracen was menacing with ball in hand as ever.
7
14. George North
The best of Wales’ back three in attack, with 60 metres and 5 defenders beaten in the stats department. Deserved his try.
7.5
Cannonball-Ken Owens with the initial carry, but the 'giant on the wing', George North takes the honours…
"Preying like a giant mantis" ? 24-12
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— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) August 11, 2019
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13. Jonathan Davies
Carried for an average of 4.4 metres per carry off nine runs, with four offloads. Had his hands full with Jonathan Joseph and his two missed tackles in defence will irk him.
6.5
12. Hadleigh Parkes
Refused to give up and did what he could with the scraps on offer, although Piers Francis stood up well to him on defence. A decisive carry near the English line in the second half led to Wyn Jones’ try.
6
11. Josh Adams
Looked bright at times, absent at others – but was ultimately outshone by England’s back three of Watson, Daly and Cokanasiga. Cleaned up the odd mess in defence.
5.5
James Bond aka Daniel Craig is in the crowd at Twickenham…
Where do you think 007 would be best suited in a rugby team? Is openside too obvious? ?#ENGvWAL pic.twitter.com/NIVvR0Ul2S
— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) August 11, 2019
10. Gareth Anscombe
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Hobbled off in the 33rd minute after an innocuous-looking bump that will leave the Welsh worried. Was seen later on crutches in the stand.
6
9. Gareth Davies
Did well to take his try, stepping Elliot Daly on his way under the post. Looks in outstanding physical condition after the Swiss trip.
8
1. Nicky Smith
Being blown out of the road by Joe Cokanasiga at close range will have hurt the prop’s pride. Struggled for parity at scrum time.
5.5
2. Ken Owens
Bullish as ever but was part of a Welsh frontrow that was a distant second to their aggressive English counterparts. Made a few trademark carries. Luke Cowan-Dickie’s try off the lineout will hurt.
5.5
3. Tomas Francis
The Exeter tighthead looked to dominate Genge early in the scrums but didn’t get much change out of Englishman. Does his best in the loose.
4.5
4. Adam Beard
The 6’9 lock did his job at lineout time – looking secure on his own ball and managing to poach a lineout off England. It remains to be seen if the accomplished set-piece operator can add more to his game, especially given Jake Ball’s superior loose game.
6
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C)
The Welsh cap record-breaker didn’t play his best game in a red jersey. Hard to fault and never took a backward step.
6
6. Aaron Wainwright
The former Cardiff City midfielder will not have furthered the argument for his inclusion in the Rugby World Cup. English debutant Lewis Ludlam hogged the limelight and the deck. Carried manfully but rarely won the collision. Smartly tied in Ludlam on the scrum preceding Davies’ excellent solo try.
6
7. Justin Tipuric
A quiet game by his standards. Wasn’t the menace on the deck that he needed to be and struggled to turn over ball in the face of the work of Ludlam and Vunipola at the breakdown.
5.5
8. Ross Moriarty
Outshone by a rampant Billy Vunipola, literally getting flattened by his opposite number on occasion. The Dragons’ No.8 needs to find the form that forced him into the side four years ago if he is to fill Taulupe Faletau’s boots.
5.5
Replacements:
16. Elliot Dee
Another Welshman that looked uncharacteristically flat. Not a huge improvement on Owens whom he replaced.
6
17. Wyn Jones
Scored a well-deserved try from close range in the 55th minute. Scrum improved as the game went on.
6.5
"Wales are right back in the match and enjoying every aspect of it!"
Wyn Jones off the bench and over the whitewash. 24-19
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— Sky Sports Rugby Union (@SkySportsRugby) August 11, 2019
18. Dillon Lewis
Gave away two penalties after coming on midway through the second half. Not a good look when you’re coming off the bench.
4
19. Jake Ball
Carried well at times, reminding the Welsh rugby public and Gatland why he was at one stage a first choice for Wales.
6
20. Aaron Shingler
Came on early and having coming back from a massive injury lay-off needed a big game. This wasn’t the game to make that case.
6
21. Aled Davies
Gave away a penalty for a high shot on George Ford in the 60th minute. Slow at times when he needed to be fast.
6
22. Dan Biggar
He missed a few too many tackles after coming on for Anscombe and couldn’t quite control the game in his customary fashion.
5.5
23. Owen Watkin
Run through by Manu Tuilagi in the 75th minute. Must do better.
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