February 2 down the years
Wales end Twickenham hoodoo
Lee Byrne scored Wales' first try against England on this day in 2008
© Getty Images
2008
Wales won at Twickenham for the first time in 20 years, coming from behind to sink England 26-19 on the opening weekend of the Six Nations season. Toby Flood had given England a comfortable lead with a try in the first-half, but Warren Gatland had instilled a new steel in his side. First Lee Byrne and then Mike Phillips crashed over in quick succession for the visitors, who had begun work with Gatland weeks earlier following his appointment as Gareth Jenkins' successor. James Hook arrowed in two majestic touchline conversions and the Welsh hoodoo was broken. "I can't think of the words," skipper Ryan Jones said. "It's the most fantastic day of my career. I'm so proud and after the effort of the last two weeks we thoroughly deserve it. We knew we had worked hard enough and we were good enough." The game was a spring-board for the Welsh, who went on to wrap up their second Grand Slam in four years.
1963
Clive "The Kick" Rowlands masterminded Wales's first Edinburgh victory (6-0) for ten years in a match of a record 111 line-outs. Mercilessly utilising their lineout dominance, with lock Brian Price conspicuous, Rowlands heaved the ball into touch at every opportunity, with players at the time allowed to kick directly to touch from anywhere on the field. The dire spectacle led directly to a change in the laws, prohibiting players from kicking directly to touch from outside their 25.
1907
Wales's experiment of fielding eight backs and seven forwards, started successfully the season before, was finally shelved after an unexpected 6-3 reverse against Scotland in Edinburgh.
1935
A late dropped goal, worth four points, kicked by their fullback Viv Jenkins brought Wales a 10-6 Championship win against Scotland at Cardiff.
1974
Andy Irvine's towering last-minute penalty goal brought Scotland a 16-14 Calcutta Cup win at Murrayfield. The brilliant future Lions fullback picked up 12 points, adding a try, penalty and conversion to his winning kick.
1980
Bill Beaumont led England to their first Paris victory for 16 years. Half-backs Steve Smith and John Horton pulled the strings as England won more comfortably than the 17-13 margin suggests.
1991
Craig Chalmers became the first Scot to go through the card of scoring actions in a Test. His try, conversion, penalty and dropped goal help Scotland to a 32-12 defeat of Wales at Murrayfield. Derek White also scored a brace of tries, with Gary Armstrong adding another.
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