Two steps forward, one step back. If a pair of encouraging victories to start the 2019 Six Nations hinted at how England are capable of dismantling teams, their defeat in Cardiff stressed that some familiar vulnerabilities remain.

The intensity of Saturday’s encounter at the Principality Stadium resembled a Rugby World Cup knockout game. Indeed, Wales and England are scheduled to meet at the quarter-final stage in Japan if one of them wins their group and the other comes second.

With that in mind, Eddie Jones should be slightly concerned by the manner in which his side faded. Arguably, a few of his own tactical decisions contributed to the loss.

Discipline lapses

Over the past two matches between England and Wales, the penalty count sits at 19-5. Both in 2018 at Twickenham and last weekend, Warren Gatland’s side were indebted not only to their dogged nature but to their discipline.

On Saturday, the hosts stayed in the fight by conceding just three penalties. Two of them – Justin Tipuric’s tackle on Billy Vunipola and Rob Evans’ scrum infringement – looked extremely dubious.

By contrast, England surrendered field position and sapped their own momentum with nine penalties. Those, plus the two infringements that gave up penalty advantage prior to Wales’ tries, are mapped out below: