Centre Gavin Henson - the RBS 6 Nations man of the match - struck the towering winning penalty four minutes from time in the headiest of atmospheres.

And no-one could say Wales did not deserve their victory - or the impromptu lap of honour which prompted the wildest of celebrations.

For England it was their seventh defeat in 12 matches since the World Cup.

There was never any doubting the Welsh fire, not from the moment they were led onto the field by Paralympian gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson to listen to a stirring rendition of Land of my Fathers by Aled Jones, Bryn Terfel and Katherine Jenkins.

It had taken Wales just 10 minutes to put the first points on the scoreboard and they came courtesy of a poor line-out throw by England hooker Steve Thompson.

Thompsons overthrow was picked up gratefully by Welsh flanker Martyn Williams and the ball was spun right and then left across the threequarter line in a blur of passes which ended with left-wing Shane Williams skidding over in the corner.

Charlie Hodgson slotted a 15th-minute penalty for England to reduce the arrears.

But England lacked authority. Wales were making inroads up front where for so long England had been dominant.

The makeshift back row of Joe Worsley, Andy Hazell and Chris Jones were struggling and it was no surprise when the constant Welsh pressure resulted in a Stephen Jones penalty.

The second-half action was tense and fraught but the error count was rising and running rugby was at a premium.

The England pack eventually, however, began to assert some authority. The white shirts began to inch forward more regularly and in the 70th minute Hodgson landed his third penalty to put England in front for the first time.

Only a crunching tackle from Josh Lewsey on Gareth Thomas, however, saved a try as the Welsh mounted a stirring finale.

And then came that roar, which greeted Hensons penalty in the 76th minute and guided Wales home to a deserved victory.

Wales: Tries: S. Williams. Pens: S. Jones, Henson.

Wales: G. Thomas, Luscombe, Shanklin, Henson, S. Williams, S. Jones, Peel, Jenkins, Davies, A. Jones, Cockbain, Sidoli, D. Jones, M. Williams, Owen.

Replacements: Morgan for Luscombe (65), Cooper for Peel (61), Yapp for A. Jones (74), J. Thomas for Cockbain (73), R. Jones for D. Jones (64).
Not Used: McBryde, Sweeney.

Sin Bin: G. Thomas (34).

England: Pens: Hodgson 3.

England: Robinson, Cueto, Tait, Noon, Lewsey, Hodgson, Dawson, Rowntree, Thompson, White, Grewcock, Kay, Jones, Hazell, Worsley.

Replacements: Barkley for Tait (60), Ellis for Dawson (65), Vickery for Rowntree (57), Borthwick for Grewcock (67).
Not Used: Titterell, Forrester, Cohen.

Sin Bin: Grewcock (34).

Att: 72,500

Ref: S Walsh (New Zealand).