LONDON: Joe Launchbury produced a man-of-the-match performance as England made it six wins out of six under Eddie Jones's reign on Sunday and enjoyed a successful warm up for their tough forthcoming campaign in Australia.
The giant Wasps lock, who has been pushed down the second row pecking order by Saracens' Maro Itoje and George Kruis in recent times, was back to his rampaging, physical best as England ran in five tries against Wales in a 27-13 win at Twickenham.
Luther Burrell, Anthony Watson, Ben Youngs, Jack Clifford and Marland Yarde went over for the hosts while prop Rob Evans crossed for the visitors.
Yet, while his England team-mates enjoyed a triumphant final farewell before most of them fly off to Australia, George Ford endured a nightmare, slotting over just one kick from seven attempts.
It was one of the worst kicking performances by an England No.10 for many years and his position for the opening Test against the Wallabies in Brisbane on June 11 is now very much under threat, not that Jones was saying so out loud.
"I thought George was brilliant. I've seen Tiger Woods miss putts. I've seen Michael Jordan miss jump shots. Every one has a bad day and his kicking wasn't on song but the rest of his game was brilliant," said the head coach.
"We scored five tries to their one and won comfortably at the end so I'm happy."
Had Ford managed just an average kicking display, the men in white would have given their Welsh rivals a hefty beating. Even so, they still managed to defy a slow and turgid first half to overcome their visitors with some degree of comfort.
Due to the English Premiership final and other commitments, less than half the England starting line-up had also walked out to face Wales in a 25-21 Six Nations victory back in March, while the Red Dragons still had ten from that game.
Wales, with Dan Lydiate captaining in place of the injured Sam Warburton, were quickest out of the blocks and with more drive and endeavour carved out a 13-10 half-time lead. Scrum-half Rhys Webb fed prop Evans for the opening try converted by Dan Biggar, who then added a penalty for a 10-0 lead.
- Clinical Watson -
Burrell, keen to make the most of a rare recent chance in the No.12 jersey, reached out for England's opening try. And, after Biggar kicked a second penalty, the clinical Watson showed his finishing skills by somehow grounding the ball despite lying on his back short of the line.
Whatever Jones said to his side at the break it clearly worked, with England a completely different proposition in the second half as quick tries from Leicester scrum-half Youngs and then No.8 Clifford left Wales dazed.
The try from Harlequins flanker Clifford upset the Welsh players who felt referee Marius Mitrea was wrong to allow it to stand -- although replays on a possible Dan Cole knock-on during the build up were inconclusive.
"We gave them two soft tries and we need to work on some line out defences and break outs," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
"We didn't think Jack Clifford's try should have stood because Dan Cole stuck his hand out and there was no intent to catch the ball. It should have been a knock on. It was a pretty vital time of the game to concede that try."
Ford finally managed to nail his kick but the fans gave the No.10 a hard time and some booed as he exited the field towards the end of the game, less than convinced with his out of sorts performance.
Quins wing Yarde, desperate to impress having got the nod ahead of Chris Ashton in the squad for Australia, showed his finishing skills by shrugging off the challenge of Hallam Amos to race over for the fifth try.
Leicester prop Ellis Genge and Sale hooker Tommy Taylor came on for their England debuts as England sealed a win which will give them even more confidence and belief as they prepare to take on a three-Test series with the Wallabies, while Wales head to New Zealand.
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