Dan Biggar guided an injury-hit Wales to a thrilling 28-25 rugby World Cup win over England on Saturday as it twice came from 10 points behind to record a stunning victory.
Wales dealt killer blows in the last nine minutes when reserve scrum-half Lloyd Williams’s brilliant cross-field kick was gathered by scrum-half Gareth Davies for a spectacular try under the posts.
Biggar, whose 23-point haul is a record for a Welshman against England, converted to level the match at 25-25 and Wales then won a penalty 49 metres out and fly-half Biggar’s penalty edged it into a 28-25 lead.
England won a penalty wide on the right with three minutes left but it opted for an attacking line-out rather than go for a tough shot at goal that would have tied the match.
Reserve hooker Rob Webber found his man but Wales drove England into touch and the visitor held out. England coach Stuart Lancaster was understandably glum.
“Gutted,” said Lancaster who added that England made “dumb” mistakes to give away penalties.
“We were 19-9 up and going well but then there was ill discipline from us and Dan Biggar’s great goal kicking,” added the English coach.
Wales coach Sam Warburton said it was an amazing performance of character given the injury problems that dogged the team. “Fair credit to England they threw absolutely everything at us,” said the flanker. “We gave a few too many penalties away but I’m lost for words it is an amazing win. We always said, ‘keep our composure, no matter what the circumstance’, and I’m glad that under a bit of pressure there, we managed to see the game out.”
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