Wing Matthew Nuthall and full-back Gareth Swales both claimed try doubles, while Cardiff fly-half Nicky Robinson booted 15 points to thwart English hopes.

Wales, conquerors of Italy in Benevento last Friday, raced clear after Robinson and opposite number Warren Spragg shared four penalties during the opening quarter.

But referee Eric Darriere dominated proceedings, the French official sin-binning five players, including England backs Marcel Garvey and Spencer Davey.

Wales, unbeaten in under-21 internationals against England since 1998, made a purposeful start at The Gnoll, and it took some frantic English defence to halt impressive Llanelli scrum-half Michael Phillips following an incisive 40-metre break.

Robinson booted Wales ahead through a seventh-minute penalty, but Spragg cancelled out that strike five minutes later and then edged England ahead as Wales found themselves under sustained pressure.

That was the cue for Darriere to take over, and four yellow cards during a 16-minute spell severely disrupted both sides’ continuity.

Wales flanker Mark Lewis was the first player sent packing following a late tackle on Garvey, then his team-mate – Llanelli lock Bryn Griffiths – departed as the home side found themselves briefly reduced to 13 men.

Any hopes that England had of making their numerical advantage count though, were quickly dashed.

Gloucester star Garvey received a yellow card for what appeared to be a technical infringement, and Wales grasped the initiative, scoring 10 unanswered points while he was off after Spragg missed two penalties in quick succession.

Crisp midfield passing led to a try on the overlap for Pontypridd wing Nuthall, which Robinson converted, and then he completed his penalty hat-trick when Davey was punished for impeding a Welsh attacker off the ball.

England, trailing 16-6 at the interval, could not establish any sort of territorial foothold, and Wales stung them again just four minutes after the restart.

Phillips steered his forwards to within touching distance of the England line, and when the visitors were stretched for defensive numbers out wide, Swales finished off a simple move.

Robinson converted magnificently from the touchline, leaving England with a mountain to climb at 23-6 adrift.

Spragg added another penalty on 52 minutes, but Wales never looked like relinquishing their sizeable advantage.

Nuthall and Swales completed an impressive demolition job when they weaved their way through a tired English defence during the closing eight minutes.

England’s final contribution was to have replacement hooker Chris Rowland sin-binned – their third yellow card of a frustrating afternoon.