Wales beat England in Six Nations

CARDIFF - Winger Shane Williams scored an early try and centre Gavin Henson slotted a long-range penalty with three minutes to go to give Wales an upset 11-9 victory over world champions England in the Six Nations on Saturday.


It was Wales' first win over England in Cardiff since 1993 and only their third in 18 meetings and it came in front of Welsh record home crowd of 74,197 at the Millennium Stadium.


Williams raced over in the 10th minute after a sweeping movement by the whole Welsh team that took England deep into the right corner before breaking to the left and stretching the defence until they had an extra man.


Stephen Jones missed the conversion from close to the touchline but his penalty midway through the half gave the Welsh an 8-3 lead at the interval.


England first five-eighths Charlie Hodgson replied for England with three penalties, his third putting the visiting team ahead for the first time in the 70th minute but Henson stepped up to score the winning penalty from more than 40 metres.


England lock Danny Grewcock and Wales fullback and captain Gareth Thomas were sin-binned in the 34th minute though neither side managed to score while they were off the field.


Scorers:
Wales - Try: Shane Williams; Penalties: Stephen Jones, Gavin Henson
England - Penalties: Charlie Hodgson

Halftime 8-3

- REUTERS