Ruddock cool following famous win

'Our next challenge is to find some consistency'

Wales coach Mike Ruddock tonight insisted there was room for improvement after his team claimed a famous RBS Six Nations Championship victory over England at the Millennium Stadium.

The 11-9 success was Wales' first win against England in Cardiff since 1993, and arrived when centre Gavin Henson kicked a 45-metre penalty four minutes from time.

Wales thoroughly deserved their victory, scoring the game's only try from wing Shane Williams after 10 minutes, while a below-par England could only rely on three Charlie Hodgson penalties.

England's Grand Slam hopes collapsed at the first hurdle, and they have now got to pick themselves up for fierce examinations against France tomorrow week and then Ireland in Dublin.

"It was a tough battle, and there were a lot of mistakes. Both sides were a bit edgy, and I didn't think we played particularly well, certainly not as well as we think we can play," said Ruddock.

"In the end, we had to slug it out. I still think this team can improve, and we have got to cut out conceding those needless penalties, but this is a great win for Wales."

Wales fly-half Stephen Jones recalled the game's decisive moment when man-of-the-match Henson stepped up to ruin England's day.

"I looked at and thought I would struggle," he said.

"Gareth [Thomas] asked whether I could take it, and I really thought it was touch-and-go."

The home skipper takes up the story from there.

"The kick was out of Stephen's range. I looked at Gavin, and he gave me a reassuring nod," said Thomas.

Henson's confidence was not missed placed. A swing of the sliver boot and the ball was over the bar and Wales was in front with only 3 minutes of normal time remaining.

"I really wanted that one," said Henson. "I've been kicking well all week, and I knew I could convert a long-range kick.

"We needed that and we deserved that. It's been a long time coming but hopefully we can go on a run now."

Henson's value was not lost on his captain, nor the worth of the win to his side's psyche.  

"He is a superb player, part of a great team that has come a long way," said Thomas.

At the moment, I feel like I can fly.

"In the past, we have been the team on the other side, losing by narrow margins, and this is a relief, even though I am sure there will now be mass hysteria in Wales.

"We will take the victory and enjoy it, but this is a tournament, not one game."

Thomas was sin-binned when he reacted to England lock Danny Grewcock's boot in the face of Wales scrum-half Dwayne Peel. Grewcock was also yellow-carded, and Thomas admitted he apologised to his team-mates.

"I shouldn't have reacted," he said.

"I am captain of the team, and it was immature on my part. I apologise, but rugby is a physical game and sometimes you lose your head."

And with a smile on his face, Thomas added: "I've been sent to my bedroom by my mother for worse."

Wales, beaten narrowly by New Zealand and South Africa during the autumn series, are now on course to make a major assault on the Six Nations title.

"A result now, and hopefully, we can relax," said Ruddock.

"The atmosphere was brilliant, absolutely amazing today. People want to see Wales doing well, and we are back at the top table of world rugby.

"Our next challenge is to find some consistency."

Wales flanker Martyn Williams concurred.

"That win has been a a long time coming," he said.

"When Charlie Hodgson kicked that [last] penalty, and we went eight phases without getting through, we started to get really worries.

"You can see the boys getting edgey at the end because we are not used to winning, but this time we kept ourselves in front.

"For my 50th cap I could not of wished for a better game - I've been on the back of hammering from these boys for the past few years and so it's a relief to win at last.

"But all we've really done is turn a corner - we can be better. That's lots of hard work ahead."