England v Wales

The England vs Wales rivalry in Six Nations rugby is one of the most storied and intense in the sport. These two teams have been competing against each other for over a century, with the rivalry igniting passion and fierce competition each time they face off. Here’s an overview of the history between England and Wales in Six Nations rugby:

Early History

  • First Match: The first meeting between England and Wales in rugby union took place on February 19, 1881, in the inaugural Home Nations Championship, which later became part of the Six Nations. England won that match 4-0.

  • The Home Nations Championship: England and Wales were founding members of the Home Nations Championship (1883–1994), which eventually evolved into the Six Nations. Early encounters were often dominated by England, but Wales began to show their strength as the sport developed.

Significant Moments in Six Nations History

  • Wales’ First Triumph: After enduring many defeats, Wales achieved their first significant victory in the Six Nations in 1905, when they beat England 3-0 in Cardiff, marking the beginning of a golden period for Welsh rugby.

  • The 1970s: Wales was a dominant force in the 1970s, winning several Grand Slams, including a victory over England in 1976 in a famous match at Twickenham that ended England’s Grand Slam hopes.

  • The 1995 World Cup: By the mid-1990s, Wales had a strong team and often played competitive matches against England, with England beating Wales in the 1995 World Cup to knock them out at the quarter-final stage.

Notable Six Nations Moments

  • The 1995 Grand Slam Clash: England and Wales met in the final match of the 1995 Six Nations, with England hoping to claim a Grand Slam. However, Wales fought back, denying England the title with a 32-31 win in Cardiff, a thrilling encounter that was one of the most dramatic in the tournament’s history.

  • The 2005 Grand Slam: In 2005, England, under coach Clive Woodward, won the Six Nations Grand Slam, but not without a tough challenge from Wales. England triumphed 11-9 in Cardiff in a match that became a turning point for both teams.

  • The 2019 Six Nations: One of the most recent high-stakes encounters came in the 2019 Six Nations, where England defeated Wales 21-16 at Twickenham, securing a major victory in their push for the title. However, Wales won the Six Nations Championship that year.

Key Moments in Recent Years:

  • 2015 Rugby World Cup: England and Wales met in a high-stakes match at Twickenham during the Rugby World Cup. Wales, with a largely second-string team, managed to defeat England 28-25 in a thrilling encounter, knocking England out of the tournament in the pool stage.

  • The 2023 Six Nations: One of the most recent thrilling encounters occurred in 2023, with England facing Wales in a pivotal Six Nations match. England won 20-10 at Twickenham, keeping their Grand Slam hopes alive.

Overall Record (As of 2025):

  • Total Matches: England and Wales have played each other 137 times in all competitions.

  • England Wins: England has won 70 matches.

  • Wales Wins: Wales has won 60 matches.

  • Draws: There have been 7 draws.

  • Biggest Win for England: England’s largest victory came in 1995, when they beat Wales 60-15.

  • Biggest Win for Wales: Wales’ largest victory came in 1911, when they beat England 22-3.

Rivalry and Legacy:

  • Passion and Emotion: The England-Wales match is often referred to as the “Battle of Britain” in rugby, with both teams playing for pride, tradition, and history. The rivalry stirs up passionate support from fans, with many viewing the encounter as the most significant in the Six Nations.

  • Cultural Importance: For both England and Wales, the rugby match represents much more than just a game. It is a cultural and national event, with Welsh fans often singing their iconic anthem “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” (Land of My Fathers) in Cardiff, while English fans bring their own sense of history and pride to Twickenham.

Conclusion:

The England vs Wales rivalry in the Six Nations is one of the most exciting and historic rivalries in rugby. The matches are always high intensity, and the stakes are never lower than the national pride of each team. Every encounter between these two teams is a memorable chapter in rugby history.

England v Wales – Guinness Six Nations 2026

Twickenham Stadium

Saturday 7th February 2026 – 16:40 KO.