The All Blacks held on with 14 men, though, then shortly before the break hooker James benefited from a Whitney break after more weak Swansea defence for a try converted by Thomas.

BBC: Neath 22-22 Swansea

Gale maintained his 100% record by landing his fifth goal, adding a drop goal five minutes from the end before England hooker James Roby grabbed a last-minute consolation try for Saints, Jamie Foster kicking the conversion.

BBC: St Helens 16-27 Harlequins

Higham, in at hooker for James Roby, dived low and hard to grab the touchdown and five minutes later Keith Senior beat off winger Jason Nightingale and he passed into the supporting Burrow to give him a clear run to the line.

BBC: England 24-36 New Zealand

Centre Mike Tindall (broken leg) and number eight Dan Ward-Smith (knee) are both doubtful for the tournament, while James Forrester (knee) and hooker Steve Thompson, forced to retire because of a neck injury, have already been ruled out.

BBC: Ellis faces World Cup heartache

Trailing 29-28, England sent on Shane Geraghty at fly-half and Rob Webber at hooker, while fellow replacements James Haskell, Ben Youngs and Dan Ward-Smith also appeared on the hour.

BBC: New Zealand Maori 35-28 England

So Paul James continues alongside Lions tight-head Adam Jones and recalled hooker Rees, who has recovered from a serious groin injury, in the Wales front row.

BBC: Martyn Williams to lead Wales as Ryan Jones injured

More Ospreys pressure told as Munster hooker Denis Fogarty was sin-binned for going offside at a ruck and prop Paul James was denied a home try after losing possession in the act of scoring.

BBC: Ospreys 19-14 Munster