Sporting Advent Calendar #8: Wounded dragon roars loudest to leave hosts on the brink

With the World Cup on home soil England headed into the tournament with a confidence which at times bordered on arrogance, and for many it seemed improbable to think the hosts wouldn’t still be around come the business end of the competition.

It was Wales - battered, bruised Wales - who many thought would be the weaker relation in the pool of death, with their squad deprived of the likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb and Jonathan Davies through injury.

Yet when the two sides met at Twickenham on September 26th Warren Gatland’s depleted but brilliant side sparked the World Cup into life and left England punch drunk and teetering on the brink of a pool stage exit.

For much of the game it looked like things would go to plan for Stuart Lancaster’s side. They scored the game’s opening try through Jonny May and it was only the metronomic boot of Dan Biggar which kept Wales in touch, with England leading 25-18 with just 10 minutes to go.

There had been a mad five minutes in which Wales’ already depleted backline was obliterated, with Hallam Amos, Scott Williams and Liam Williams all forced off injured.

This forced Lloyd Williams, in the squad as third choice scrumhalf, to come on as a left winger and from his makeshift position he was the catalyst for one of the tries and results of the World Cup.

Inside the last 10 minutes Wales moved the ball left, with Jamie Roberts feeding Williams on the outside. With Mike Brown quickly tracking across to cover, Williams dropped the ball onto his left instep and switched the play - a perfect kick presenting itself beautifully for Gareth Davies to gather and dive under the posts.

It was electric, and minutes later Biggar slotted another kick to give Wales a three point lead.

With the clock running down England won a kickable penalty to tie the match. But instead of going for the posts, captain Chris Robshaw opted for the corner. Wales timed their counter drive perfectly, and the chance was gone.

In the end, a draw would have been enough to send England through to the quarter-finals.

As it was, a mighty wounded dragon roared loudest on enemy turf.