Six Nations 2011: In pictures - Wales v England

Welsh fans make their fondness for the Six Nations clear before the match. The 2008 and 2005 grand slam winners came fourth last year after losing their opening fixture to England at Twickenham Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian A brass band prepares to welcome the players onto the pitch Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Welsh legend Gareth Edwards passes his views on the clash before the match. England the slight favourites, perhaps? Or Wales to exploit home advantage under the closed roof? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Plumes of smoke shoot into the air as the Welsh squad appear Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Both sides are in bloodthirsty mood in the early exchanges. Here, Andy Powell is tackled by Tom Wood Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The ripped shirt of Jonathan Davies is testament to the nature of the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Shane Williams passes out from a ruck as Wales look likeliest to put the first points on the board Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian But it's England's Toby Flood who provides the first significant contribution, breaking between Welsh props Paul James and Craig Mitchell before supplying Chris Ashton through the centre Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Ashton realises he's not going to be caught and begins to celebrate before crossing the try-line Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Ashton dives over the line (in rather balletic fashion) to score the opening try Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Dan Lydiate claims a line out for Wales Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Powell gathers the ball from the back of a buckling scrum Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Shane Williams clings on to Ben Foden Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Nick Easter requires three men to bring him to a halt Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Tom Palmer soars to take an England line out. And even when Louis Deacon is sent off for ten minutes for illegally denying Wales a scoring chance under the posts, the visitors remain resolute. They lead 13-6 at the break Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Another good line-out catch by Tom Palmer is the catalyst for England's second try ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Mark Cueto supplies the critical pass to Ashton, who plonks the ball down without a flourish this time. Wonder if he was given a ticking off by Martin Johnson for his first-half antics? Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Ashton is congratulated by his team-mates who sense they're close to victory Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian But Wales battle back into contention as Stoddart goes over for the home side following Jonathan Davies' pass. Here, Ryan Jones takes the ball into a tackle from Ben Youngs as Wales look to take the lead for the first time in the match Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian A nervous Martin Johnson averts his eyes Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Jonny Wilkinson, on as a substitute, kicks a penalty near the end to give England a seven-point margin Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian 26-19 it ends. It's England's first win in Cardiff since 2003 when they completed the Grand Slam and went on to win the World Cup. No wonder this Welsh fan isn't looking happy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian