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Rugby World Cup | Group Stage
Sep 26, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
England
25-28
Wales
May (27')
FT
Davies (71')

Wales edge out England in thriller

Wales come from behind to clinch a famous 28-25 victory over England in their crucial Rugby World Cup Pool A showdown at Twickenham.

Wales launched a late comeback to clinch a famous 28-25 victory over England in their crucial Pool A clash at the Rugby World Cup this evening.

Both sides earned bonus-point victories in their opening match of the tournament last week, and it was Wales who made the brighter start at Twickenham when Dan Biggar knocked over an early penalty.

Dan Biggar kicks a penalty for Wales during the Rugby World Cup game with England on September 26, 2015© Getty Images

England responded with a kick of their own from Owen Farrell, chosen ahead of George Ford, but ill-discipline from Stuart Lancaster's men gave Biggar the chance to send his side ahead once again.

The battle of the boot would become a feature of the match, and Farrell got one over on his Welsh counterpart when he converted a drop goal to restore parity having seen Biggar miss one of his own earlier in the contest.

Another kick from the Saracens man put England into the lead for the first time on the night, and they would soon gain control of the match with the opening try.

Jonny May scores the first try for England during the Rugby World Cup game with Wales on September 26, 2015© Getty Images

Jonny May was the man to go over from close range in the corner, while Farrell's conversion extended the lead to 10 points and edged the hosts closer to a third consecutive win over their old rivals.

Biggar cut that deficit to seven before half time, and after the interval it was a case of both kickers keeping the scoreboard ticking over.

Farrell and Biggar traded two penalties apiece in the opening 10 minutes of the second half, before the latter added another to make it a five-point game on the hour mark.

Owen Farrell kicks for England during the Rugby World Cup game with Wales on September 26, 2015© Getty Images

The injury-hit Welsh side were dealt another blow when Scott Williams was forced off on the stretcher, joining fellow centres Jonathan Davies and Cory Allen on the treatment table.

The decimated and makeshift backline were tested by some heavy pressure from England, but Lancaster's side were forced to settle for just three points once again as Farrell knocked over his fifth penalty of the match.

Despite their mounting injury problems, Wales set up a grandstand finish with their first try of the match as Gareth Davies collected a kick inside to cross over right underneath the posts.

Gareth Davies scores a try for Wales during the Rugby World Cup game with England on September 26, 2015© Getty Images

Biggar's conversion tied the scores at 25-25, and the fly-half put his side ahead for the first time since the 18th minute with a penalty from the halfway line shortly afterwards.

England had a chance to level things up with a penalty of their own in the dying stages, but they opted to go for the lineout and were shoved into touch from the resulting maul.

It proved to be a pivotal moment in the match as Wales kept possession before kicking it out to touch as the clock went red.

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Jonny May scores the first try for England during the Rugby World Cup game with Wales on September 26, 2015
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