England beat Wales despite late fightback at Twickenham

A late flurry from Wales proved to be too little too late as England won 33-30 and secured the Triple Crown at Twickenham.

Pivac's team ran out wearing black armbands in memory of former Wales centre Matthew J Watkins, who has died at the age of 41 following a long illness.

England, buoyed by an impressive performance against Ireland last time out, took the lead inside four minutes when Watson touched down following a superb inside pass by scrum-half Ben Youngs that split the Welsh defence.

England captain Owen Farrell converted, and the home side were off and running, leading 7-0.

Jonny May went off for a head injury assessment following an aerial collision, with Exeter's Henry Slade replacing him in the seventh minute.

Wales then launched their first attack, which ended with them gaining a penalty after a scuffle broke out that included England prop Joe Marler grabbing Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones' testicles.

Full-back Leigh Halfpenny - handed goalkicking duties ahead of fly-half Dan Biggar - landed the resulting kick, and Wales trailed 7-3.

Farrell restored a seven-point advantage through a 35-metre penalty after 16 minutes, but Halfpenny responded with his second-successful strike four minutes later.

Wales were the dominant team in terms of possession, but England repelled them before a Farrell touch-finder took his side deep inside Wales' 22.

England attacked with menace from the resulting lineout, and a slick move ended with full-back Elliot Daly diving over for a try that Farrell converted, opening up a 17-6 advantage eight minutes before the break.

Alarm bells were ringing for Wales, and they also had an injury concern when prop Dillon Lewis required treatment before he was able to continue.

Wales flanker Ross Moriarty then collapsed a maul, with Farrell punishing him by kicking another penalty that extended England's advantage to 14 points.

Wales had lost their way, and England went off for the interval in control, leading 20-9 after Biggar booted a long-range penalty with the first-half's final act.

Wales made a stunning start to the second half, breaching England's defence after just 22 seconds.

Quick work by Navidi found Saracens centre Nick Tompkins, who passed to scrum-half Tomos Williams, and he freed flanker Justin Tipuric for a try that Biggar converted, cutting the gap to four points.

A flurry of scoring continued when Farrell completed his penalty hat-trick for a 23-16 advantage, and Wales then made a second change as Rhys Webb replaced Williams.

But Wales conceded a scrum penalty in sight of their posts, and George Ford stepped up to kick the points as England moved 10 points ahead.

And there was more injury woe for Wales when lock Jake Ball went off clutching his right arm, being replaced by Aaron Shingler.

With two of their starting front-five off injured, Wales were up against it, and England head coach Eddie Jones began summoning fresh legs as hooker Luke Cowan-Dickie and lock Joe Launchbury joined the action.

And it sparked a spell of relentless pressure that ended in centre Manu Tuilagi scoring England's third try.

It was too easy for the home side, with Farrell's conversion taking England into a commanding 33-16 lead after 61 minutes.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones was able to continue after receiving lengthy treatment, while Johnny McNicholl replaced Liam Williams, entering the final 15 minutes.

The visitors continued trying to find a way back into the game, and England had replacement prop Ellis Genge sin-binned for offside as Wales attacked.

And England then saw Tuilagi sent off for what was ruled to be a shoulder-led challenge to the head of George North, meaning England would end the game with 13 players.

Wales remained camped in the England 22, and a try finally arrived as Biggar breached England's defence for a touchdown that he also converted.

There were only just over two minutes left as England restarted and Wales managed a second try for Tipuric that Biggar converted.

England were second best after the break, but a 33-30 victory meant they secured the Triple Crown.