These World Cup warm-up games mean nothing, of course, but that does not preclude the search for significance. No one had to look very hard here. Wales could have gone to No 1 in the world rankings with a win and extended their record unbeaten run to 15. And they picked a team to suggest these were landmarks that meant something to them. Alas, either they did not mean enough or Wales are not ready to claim them.
It is surely the latter. They have moved on to the shoulder of New Zealand at the top of the rankings courtesy of their most recent grand slam, an achievement not to be sniffed at – but, as grand slams go, it was hardly convincing, yielding them no more tries, 10, than Italy, the wooden-spooners. They developed a happy knack of winning – or forgetting how to lose, as Warren Gatland memorably put it. Here they were finally issued with a reminder.
Written by Michael Aylwin at Twickenham
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/aug/11/england-wales-world-cup-warmup under the title “England’s attacking edge too sharp for Wales but defence remains a concern | Michael Aylwin”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
