England subdue Welsh rebellion to set up decider with vengeful French

LAURENCE DALLAGLIO last night set his sights on “a huge confrontation” with France that should decide the destiny of this season’s RBS 6 Nations title.

England 31 Wales 21

Although Ireland are still lurking as championship contenders, the tournament is set to reach a shuddering crescendo in Paris next Saturday night.

France, aching to avenge their World Cup semi-final defeat against England last autumn, have serious designs on Six Nations silverware.

But the English chariot is back on track albeit a slightly bumpy one after Dallaglio and company avoided another Celtic calamity by subduing Wales during a one-sided final quarter.

Wales had threatened to emulate the Irish two weeks earlier, rocking a somewhat fragile "fortress" Twickenham through superb second-half tries from full-back Gareth Thomas and centre Mark Taylor.

England though, driven on by rookie fly-half Olly Barkley's tactical maturity, came up trumps when the pressure was at its most intense.

Wing Ben Cohen's second try of the game and a late Joe Worsley effort broke Welsh hearts. Barkley finished with 16 points, England lost only one lineout on their own throw all afternoon and a sense of normality returned to replace the mayhem Ireland had created.

"It's going to be a huge confrontation up-front. France are a fantastic team. We managed to dominate them the last time we played them (World Cup semi-final), and I'm sure they will want to make amends," said Dallaglio.

A Wales win would have handed England back-to-back Twickenham defeats for the first time since 1984, and while they ultimately fell short, it was a performance that should give success-starved Welsh supporters considerable hope.

"Wales played really well," said England's Ben Cohen. "They keep improving, and these narrow losses for them will soon turn into narrow wins.

"We are relieved with the win. It was a true test of character to come back from behind in the second-half."

It was win at all costs, but England underpinned their performance with an almost faultless set-piece game. Lock Danny Grewcock, prop Phil Vickery and hooker Steve Thompson led from the front, while centre Mike Tindall's return gave the back division structure and balance.

"It didn't matter how we won we just had to win. It sets up a great game next weekend, and I think there will be a real improvement in Paris," said England boss Clive Woodward.