England got their Six Nations campaign off to the perfect start with a 30-17 win over Wales at Twickenham.

The match hinged on Alun Wyn-Jones’ sinbinning during which the hosts notched 17 points and Wales were unable to recover.

James Haskell’s try late in the first half and eight points from Jonny Wilkinson gave England a 13-3 lead at the break, with Stephen Jones kicking Wales’ solitary response.

Care stretched the lead before tries from Adam Jones and James Hook brought Wales to within three points.

But Haskell’s second score late on coupled with three more points from Wilkinson wrapped up the win for England.

Both sides were hit with late withdrawals ahead of the encounter with England’s Riki Flutey suffering a thigh injury and Gethin Jenkins’ calf injury ruling him out for Wales.

Toby Flood lined up in Flutey’s place alongside Mathew Tait whilst Paul James came into the Welsh front row alongside Gareth Williams and Adam Jones.

Elsewhere Wales opted for James Hook at outside centre as the utility back tries out another position in the backline whilst Tom James was picked over Leigh Halfpenny on the wing and Gareth Cooper chosen at scrum half instead of Richie Rees.

England recalled Delon Armitage at full-back in a back three that included Ugo Monye and Mark Cueto whilst Danny Care came in at scrum half and David Wilson returned at tight-head prop.

England had all the possession in the opening five minutes but failed to make any headway against the strong Welsh defence.

Despite being on the back foot it was the visitors who had the first chance at points after Ugo Monye was caught offside but Hook was off target with his penalty.

And it was England that did kick themselves ahead minutes later as Wales were penalised at the breakdown as Wilkinson slotted the easy penalty from bang in front, 22 metres out.

An almighty English drive on 18 minutes saw the hosts cross the whitewash for the first time but the Welsh pack held them up as England threatened a first try of the match.

Wales survived the resulting scrum as David Wilson went to ground, unable to cope with the power of Paul James.

Care’s loose kick handed Wales possession from which England were penalised, Hook again off target though with the 50 metre penalty.

That miss handed kicking duties to Jones and he brought the sides level after Flood was penalised for failing to release in the tackle.

Five minutes before the break Wales were down to 14 men and 6-3 behind after Alun Wyn-Jones’ cynical trip on Dylan Hartley saw the lock enter the sinbin.

And Wales were punished further for Wyn-Jones’ misconduct in added time as Haskell crept after a succession of forward drives on the Welsh line. Wilkinson added the extras and England led 13-3 at the break.

Still down to 14 and Wales were further behind with four minutes of the second half gone as England scored their second try.

Nick Easter and Wilkinson punched holes in the Welsh defence before Care waltzed through a hole to touchdown. Wilkinson’s conversion made it 20-3.

Wales, back up to a full complement of players, were quickly back in the game with their first visit to the English 22 in the second half.

Jamie Roberts’ burst down the middle gave his side a platform from which Wyn-Jones fed Adam Jones who touched down. Jones added the extra two to reduce the deficit to ten.

Both sides had chances to wrestle back the momentum with Tom James knocking on with the tryline at his mercy but the winger was on hand to stop Armitage touching down at the other end following Mark Cueto’s grubber through.

Handling errors were stopping Wales making any in roads with England looking comfortable going into the last ten minutes.

But out of nowhere they were suddenly within three points of their opponents.

Simon Shaw gave away a penalty and from the good field position a succession of Welsh phases ended with Hook shrugging off Tait’s tackle and crashing over. Jones added the extras and we were in for a frantic final eight minutes.

But Wales had thrown it all away within two minutes of their score.

Threatening to take the lead Jones’ pass was intercepted by Armitage who found Tait and the Sale man fed Haskell for his second try of the match.

Another Wilkinson penalty made the game safe with a minute remaining to get England’s Six Nations campaign off to the perfect start.

Wales will be disappointed with their display which was lacking in fluidity and riddled with errors and indiscipline and they will have to pick themselves up for next week when Scotland are the visitors to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.