Wales v England, Six Nations Championship, February 14
Wales seeking back-to-back success
John Griffiths
February 8, 2009
Wales full-back Lee Byrne celebrates scoring against England, England v Wales, Six Nations, Twickenham, February 2 2008.
Lee Byrne scored Wales' first try against England at Twickenham in 2008 © Getty Images
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Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: England | Wales

There have been 117 matches between the nations since February 1881. England led the series until 1907, when Welsh rugby was enjoying its first Golden Era. After that, there were never more than two wins separating the sides until 1925. England then stayed in front until 1970 when Wales were embarking on another Golden Era.

The Welsh led the series from 1971 until 2003, but England is currently one ahead, 53 wins to 52. The last of the dozen draws was at Cardiff in 1983.

There have been 40 matches played in Cardiff since 1893, when Wales won 12-11 through a late penalty goal kicked by Billy Bancroft. England's first win there was in 1913 and their best run between 1995 and 2003 when they won five in a row. Overall Wales lead by 25 wins to 13 in Cardiff with two games (1926 and 1983) drawn.

England's 62-5 win at Twickenham in the 2007 World Cup warm-up friendly and Wales's 34-21 Cardiff win in 1967 - Keith Jarrett's famous debut match - are the best scores recorded by the teams in this series. England did win, however, by seven goals, six tries and a dropped goal to nil at Blackheath in 1881, before scoring by points was introduced. The try-count of 13 that day stands as the series record for a match.

The best winning margin (57 points) in the matches was established in England's success at Twickenham in 2007. Wales won 25-0 in 1905 - their best margin - and scored eight tries - their best return for the fixture - in the mud at Cardiff in 1922.

Jonny Wilkinson set the record for the highest individual score in a match contributing 30 points at Twickenham in 2002. The Welsh record for a match is 22 points by Neil Jenkins at Wembley in the last ever Five Nations fixture, in 1999. James Hook equalled that Welsh record when the sides last met at Cardiff two years ago.

Four players have scored four tries in a match. George Burton and Nick Easter - both forwards - respectively performed the feat for England in the Blackheath match of 1881 and the Twickenham friendly in 2007. Wing three-quarter Willie Llewellyn crossed four times for Wales on his Test debut at Swansea in 1899 and Maurice Richards, also a wing, went over for Wales at Cardiff in 1969.

Wilkinson is the leading overall scorer in the matches. He has scored 151 points for England since 1999. Neil Jenkins holds the corresponding record for Wales with 65 in his ten appearances between 1991 and 2001.

Will Greenwood's try for England when the sides met in the 2003 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in Brisbane made him the leading try-getter in the series with seven. Gerald Davies, Dewi Bebb and Willie Llewellyn each scored six for Wales.

Rory Underwood set the record for most appearances in the series, playing 14 times between 1984 and 1996 (including a World Cup match in 1987). Gareth Thomas also featured in 14 matches for Wales.

Wales-England Six Nations results:
2000 England 46-12 (Twickenham)
2001 England 44-15 (Cardiff)
2002 England 50-10 (Twickenham)
2003 England 26-9 (Cardiff)
2004 England 31-21 (Twickenham)
2005 Wales 11-9 (Cardiff)
2006 England 47-13 (Twickenham)
2007 Wales 27-18 (Cardiff)
2008 Wales 26-19 (Twickenham)

  • Click here for Wales' complete Test record in Statsguru

  • Click here for England's complete Test record in Statsguru

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