With tension mounting and the score level pegging at 12-12, Williams, who came on at halftime, dispossessed rampaging England lock Courtney Lawes of the ball before kicking ahead and winning the race to the ball to score close to the posts to leave the Twickenham crowd stunned.
Having already won the slam in 2005 and 2008, Warren Gatland’s men are now firm favourites to record their third slam – although England pushed them right to the wire.
England were a slow burner in the first half, strictly second best for the opening quarter as Wales got out of the blocks with gusto. The red rose brigade had to absorb a red tidal wave of attacks but remained calm and intact.
Somewhat against the run of play Owen Farrell put England ahead in the 24th minute but Leigh Halfpenny levelled matters with a solid strike just two minutes later.
England regained the lead when Farrell chipped over a close range penalty in the 30th minute but again Wales got back on even terms through Halfpenny’s boot.
With both teams hurtling into each other, the bruising encounter was living up to expectation but the home side went into the break ahead thanks to Farrell’s third success with the boot two minutes before the interval after Welsh hands were poking around in a ruck.
Priestland was sent to the sin bin five minutes after the restart because of a professional foul after Mouritz Botha’s charge down put the Welsh defence under pressure. Farrell banged over the easy penalty but from then on England were unable to make their numerical advantage pay during the fly half’s 10 minutes on the sidelines.
Halfpenny actually reduced the arrears just before Priestland’s return with his third success of the afternoon.
With England edging it at 12-9 Wales suddenly found it difficult to get out of their own half. Wales were forced to attack from deep as they repeatedly ran down dead end alleys. Priestland found himself isolated after missing touch initially, but for once it went unpunished as Farrell’s penalty sailed wide.
Farrell hobbled off in the 65th minute to be replaced by Toby Flood. The Twickenham crowd rose as one when England repelled a clear cut chance for Wales. Replacement back Scott Williams ignored the unmarked Halfpenny after carving open the England defence with the try line at his mercy. England smuggled the ball back to relieve the mounting pressure.
Wales received a lifline when England prop Matt Stevens was pinged for hands in a ruck. Halfpenny levelled the scores at 12-12 with another well struck penalty.
Williams then atoned for his earlier mistake to stun England on their home patch with a piece of individual brilliance. He showed sheer strength to first rip the ball out of second row Courtney Law’s grasp. He then showed awareness to chip ahead and easily won the race to the ball to dive over emphatically. With Halfpenny’s conversion Wales had jumped out to a 12-19 lead with just three minutes remaining.
England refused to throw in the towel and threw everything at Wales. With time up winger David Strettle appeared to have gone over in the corner but with referee Steve Walsh going upstairs to the TMO, it was eventually decided he hadn’t score to send Welsh fans into ecstasy with Wales winning their first ever Triple Crown on Twickenham soil.
