The hosts battled back from a 16-point deficit to emerge victorious through second-half tries from Sonny Tonga’uiha, Jimmy Staples and Victor Worsnip, having finished the game with 14 men following a Luke Davidson red card. 

Andy Titterrell’s men now face Scotland at Hive Stadium, Edinburgh in round two of the competition. 

After an error-strewn start from both sides, it was Wales who registered the first points through a penalty awarded thanks to some overenthusiasm from the English pack.

Flyhalf Carwyn Leggatt-Jones made no mistake from out in front to put the visitors ahead within three minutes.

Replacement tighthead prop Sonny Tonga’uiha, son of Northampton legend Soane, was then introduced early with England’s Ollie Streeter having been injured in the build-up. 

Torrential rain in Northampton would go on to play a key part in the result, and indeed both teams struggled to find a foothold in the early exchanges.

England’s first major attacking opportunity came through livewire scrum half Lucas Friday, who sniped down the blindside of a driving maul before producing an ambitious dink over the top and nearly gathering himself.

However, all the rugby was being played in England’s half, and Wales looked set to capitalise further thanks to some probing kicks from Leggatt-Jones.

The pressure eventually paid off, with inside centre Steffan Emanuel pouncing on a loose ball in the midfield and sliding in to score.

Leggatt-Jones converted and, thanks to two quick penalties, had nudged his side to a 16-0 lead at the break. 

England started the second half with some much-needed attacking intent, Friday again the man to provide the impetus with a testing jab in behind the Welsh defence.

The Harlequins man was unable to gather, but England capitalised on the field position with their first score of the game, Tonga’uiha muscling over from short range at his club’s home ground.

England were suddenly galvanised and soon crossed again following a period of sustained pressure in the Welsh half.

Presented with a kickable penalty, skipper Connor Treacey opted for the corner and was rewarded for his faith in his side’s set piece as hooker Staples rumbled over on debut.

The conversion was missed, but England had deservedly clawed the deficit back to within five.

However, this momentum was soon halted as fly half Davidson was shown a red card for a high tackle.

But despite this setback, England held firm, and a valiant defensive display led to them being rewarded with a penalty deep in the Welsh half.