England vs Wales; the Ultimate Rivalry
Why are England and Wales such big rivals?
England V Wales: A Rivalry for the Ages
For almost 150 years, Wales and England have been trading blows in one of the most keenly fought rivalries in world rugby.
“Look what these bastards have done to Wales. They've taken our coal, our water, our steel. They buy our homes and live in them for a fortnight every year. What have they given us? Absolutely nothing. We've been exploited, raped, controlled and punished by the English — and that's who you are playing this afternoon.”
That was Phil Bennett’s inspirational speech before the 1977 Five Nations tie between Wales and England and it tells you everything you need to know about one of the most ferocious rivalries in rugby history: Wales versus England.
It’s the battle fought on the backbone of history between the country which invented the game and the people who made it their own.
Over 139 years and 135 matches, it’s been almost level pegging. England have won 64, Wales have won 59 with 12 draws.
It all started back in 1881 when a touring Wales team took on England at Blackheath. England won easily that day, but Wales had gotten the bug. Before long rugby would become more than a sport West of the Severn, it was a religion.
Mixed fortunes
Fortunes have fluctuated wildly. In the 70s and 80s it was all Wales, aside from rare moments such as a David Duckham inspired shock in 1974, and the 9–8 win in 1980 which helped Bill Beaumont’s side on the way to a first Grand Slam since 1957.
Even after the Welsh glory days of the 70s faded, they could still console themselves with the mantra ‘as long as we beat the English’.
In the 90s and 2000s, though, things were very different. Aside from Ieuan Evan’s dashing try in 1993, and Scott Gibb’s last gasp Wembley winner in 1999, games against England became a traumatic experience for the Cardiff faithful.
Defeat followed defeat. 60–26 in 1998, 50–10 in 2002 as a dominant England side geared up for World Cup glory. So big had the gulf become that there was even talk in England HQ of leaving the old competition behind to join the bigger boys in the Southern Hemisphere.
Photo: 6 Nations Rugby
Punch and counter punch
However, dominance never lasts in this competition and, from the moment Shane Williams scuttled into the Twickenham corner to ignite Wale’s Grand Slam of 2005, it’s been punch and counter punch. England would score a record 62–5 thrashing in a 2007 World cup warm up before Wales would come roaring back six months later at the same stadium on the way to another Grand Slam.
Wales would knock England out of their own World Cup in 2015 only for the red rose to gets its revenge the following March on the way to a first Grand Slam since 2003.
It has become one of the keenest fought fixtures on the calendar and it is this closeness which makes this rivalry special. There are others, of course. The Calcutta Cup, between England and Scotland or the Bledisloe Cup between Australia and New Zealand. However, both of those have been somewhat one sided. More than any other fixture it is Wales versus England which creates moments which live long in the memory.
What are your best memories of this great head-to-head?
