Smith boots England to win over Wales
SIX NATIONS REPORT: England beat Wales 23-19 in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday to all but end the reigning champions' hopes of a successful title defence.
They were well ahead at 23-12 when Wales replacement Kieran Hardy went over for a last-minute converted try.
* To recap all the action CLICK HERE!!!
There was still time for a match where England flyhalf Marcus Smith kicked 18 points and teammate Alex Dombrandt scored a try, to restart.
But England saw the game out to inflict Wales' second defeat in three matches this Championship and maintain their own title bid.
A scrappy first half ended with England leading 12-0 up through four Smith penalties.
England extended their advantage to 17-0 early in the second half when No 8 Dombrandt pounced on an over-thrown line-out from Wales hooker Ryan Elias.
Wales, however, hit back with two tries in seven minutes from wing Josh Adams and inside centre Nick Tompkins to leave England with a slender 17-12 advantage going into the last quarter.
Smith then put England two scores in front with a well-struck penalty from 45 metres before an effort from a similar distance nine minutes from time gave them apparent breathing space at 23-12.
England, beaten in a Calcutta Cup clash by Scotland, now have two wins and one defeat this Six Nations.
By contrast Wales, defeated by Ireland in the first round, have now suffered two losses in a Championship where unbeaten leaders France are still eyeing a Grand Slam.
England only finalised their team shortly before kick-off, with Elliot Daly starting at outside centre after the injury-prone Manu Tuilagi had been ruled out with a hamstring problem on Thursday.
Back-row Courtney Lawes returned to captain the side after missing the first two rounds with concussion.
Wales, without a Six Nations win at Twickenham since 2012, were captained by Lawes' Northampton team-mate Dan Biggar, while fit-again No 8 Taulupe Faletau ended an 11-month absence from the starting XV.
England lock Charlie Ewels came close to a try in the 21st minute, with Wales full-back Liam Williams yellow carded for handling in a ruck.
But England failed to capitalise on their man advantage.
Such was the low quality of the play that one of the biggest cheers from a capacity crowd of over 81,000 in the opening 40 minutes came when Henry Slade's well-judged 50-22 kick set up an England line-out near Wales' line.
England, however, made a mess of the ensuing catch and drive, one of their routine plays, with Wales awarded a relieving penalty.
But after Smith's grubber kick set up a Wales line-out near the visitors' line, Dombrandt caught a loose throw from Elias that and the back-row just did enough to ground the ball as he stretched over the line.
Smith was way off target with a conversion from out on the left, but England were in command at 17-0 up.
Wales, stung into action, fought back in the 54th minute with scrum-half Tomos Williams' sharp pass creating space for fit-again wing Adams to score a try in the left corner.
Flyhalf Biggar, however, missed the conversion and England were still two scores in front at 17-5.
But a rejuvenated Wales, having kicked a penalty for an attacking line-out, laid siege to England's line and following several close-range rucks, quick ball allowed Tompkins to cross for a 61st-minute try that Biggar did convert.
Veteran scrumhalf Ben Youngs came off the bench to replace Harry Randall and so break the England cap record of 114 Tests held by World Cup winner Jason Leonard before the frantic finale.
Man of the match: There was only one man who stood head and shoulders above the rest. His performance from the tee helped his side secure a much needed and kept their title hopes alive and therefore this award goes to England flyhalf Marcus Smith.
The scorers:
For England:
Try: Dombrandt
Pens: Smith 6
For Wales:
Tries: Adams, Tomkins. Hardy
Cons: Biggar 2
Yellow card: Liam Williams (Wales, 20 - repeated infringements)
Teams:
England: 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Max Malins, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Jack Nowell, 10 Marcus Smith, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Alex Dombrandt, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes (Captain), 5 Maro Itoje, 4 Charlie Ewels, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Will Stuart, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Ben Youngs 22 George Ford, 23 Elliot Daly.
Wales: 15 Liam Williams, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Owen Watkin, 12 Nick Tompkins, 11 Josh Adams, 10 Dan Biggar (captain), 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Taine Basham, 6 Ross Moriarty, 5 Adam Beard, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 Tomas Francis, 2 Ryan Elias, 1 Wyn Jones.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Leon Brown, 19 Seb Davies, 20 Jac Morgan, 21 Kieran Hardy, 22 Gareth Anscombe, 23 Jonathan Davies.
Referee: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Assistant referees: Mathieu Raynal (France), Frank Murphy (Ireland)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)