Alex Cuthbert scored two second-half tries as a rampant Wales overwhelmed England by a record 30-3 scoreline to retain the Six Nations title and deny the visitors a grand slam on a memorable evening at the Millennium Stadium yesterday.
Wales began the game wondering if they could somehow fashion a seven-point victory to wrest the title away from England. Instead, they produced their biggest victory over their fierce rivals with the 27-point margin surpassing the 25-0 win chalked up in Cardiff 108 years ago.
The Welsh, under fire from all sides when they fell to an eighth successive defeat after being beaten by Ireland on the opening weekend of the tournament, led 9-3 at half-time with three Leigh Halfpenny penalties before cutting loose after the interval as right-wing Cuthbert scored twice within 10 minutes to send the Millennium Stadium wild.
Scrumhalf Mike Phillips was back to the form that made him such a key operator for the British and Irish Lions in South Africa four years ago while the rest of the backline, unchanged in every Six Nations match this season, looked sharper and cleverer than their callow rivals.
England had won all four of their away games in the competition under Stuart Lancaster, three last season and in Dublin last month, but it was the home fans, who had had to endure five successive home defeats spanning more than a year, who were celebrating a truly special occasion. England’s only two Six Nations defeats in two seasons have been against Wales.
Wales had not conceded a try since the 42nd minute of their opening week defeat by Ireland and, had they woken up at kick-off instead of just after half-time in that match, they could well have been celebrating a second successive clean sweep.
England, who struggled to get past Italy last week, can have no complaints about the result having failed to impose themselves on any aspect of the game and eventually being blown away.
England’s defeat joins the list of previous grand-slam failures, including three in a row from 1999 and another in 2011. On that occasion in Dublin there was at least the consolation of their first title since 2003 but this time the victor took the spoils in a dramatic, floodlit presentation ceremony.
With the roof closed and the crowd fuelled by a long afternoon in the pubs clustered around the stadium, the atmosphere was electric by the time the long-awaited kick-off took place.
“It’s a bit unreal. I think it’s a dream to be honest. I never really thought we’d play so well in front of a great crowd,” Wales flanker Justin Tipuric told reporters.
“The boys were outstanding. We knew what we could do. We’ve been ready since Monday. To turn up with such a great performance, we’re chuffed to bits.”
England coach Lancaster said the better side on the day had won.
“We lost the physical battle and the first score of the second half was also vital and we lost momentum,” he said.
Results: Italy vs Ireland 22-15; Wales vs England 30-3; France vs Scotland 23-16.
Standings: Wales (4-0-1) 8; England (4-0-1) 8; Scotland (2-0-3) 4; Italy (2-0-3) 4; Ireland (1-1-3) 3; France (1-1-3) 3.
Last 10 winners
2004: France
2005: Wales
2006: France
2007: France
2008: Wales
2009: Ireland
2010: France
2011: England
2012: Wales
2013: Wales