Six Nations 2012: England v Wales - in pictures

Wales arrived at Twickenham hoping to complete the Triple Crown and they quickly display why they are considered potential grand slam winners this year. The visitors boss possession and territory in the first quarter. Here, the Welsh front row surge forward and push the inexperienced English scrum backwards Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian George North makes a clean break early in the game but a try is saved by a crucial tap-tackle metres from the line by David Strettle Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian North, a persistent threat, is later tackled by Alex Corbisiero as England ride out wave after wave of Welsh attacks Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Neither side manages to cross the try-line in the first-half. Here, Chris Ashton is tackled just short of the Welsh line by Adam Jones Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian England's Owen Farrell and Wales' Leigh Halfpenny trade penalties (with England leading 9-6 at the turn) Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian But Halfpenny has the better of the second half and restores parity Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Mouritz Botha puts in a contact lens in the middle of the game Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The English line-out is looking a little ropey at times, though in this case Geoff Parling manages to claim the ball Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian With five minutes remaining, Scott Williams steals possession in the England half, kicks and collects ... Tom Croft makes a desperate tackle but ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian ... no other England players are close enough to intercept him, allowing Williams a straight run to the try-line Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Down he goes, giving Wales what must surely prove to be the match-winning try Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The Welsh players celebrate exuberantly Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian What's more, the conversion is good and Wales now have a seven point lead Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian However, England refuse to concede defeat and force a line-out from which play is spread the width of pitch to David Strettle. He flings himself over the try-line and tries desperately to pin the ball to the turf, but Welsh arms intervene and it's unclear whether a try was scored ... Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The decision is referred to the TV referee but all four camera angles prove inconclusive Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The English players look concerned. They know the rules; unless the footage definitely shows that a try has been scored, it cannot be awarded. The verdict, therefore, is no try Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Strettle is dejected. He believed he had grounded the ball to keep England in with the chance of a draw, but even if then the conversion would have been rather tricky Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The two head coaches, Warren Gatland and Stuart Lancaster, shake hands at the end of the game. It was a gripping affair to the last and, despite the defeat, Lancaster must be happy with his charges Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian Saying that, they don't look too happy with themselves. Owen Farrell kicked four penalties today but didn't get the chance he wanted to attempt a match-saving conversion Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian The Wales captain Sam Warburton heads into the stands to lift the Triple Crown trophy Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian It's the first time they've ever won the Triple Crown at Twickenham and, unsurprisingly, the champagne is flowing Photograph: Tom Jenkins for The Guardian