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Lancaster laments 'dumb' penalties

Twickenham - England coach Stuart Lancaster blamed "dumb" penalties given away by his players for the stunning defeat by old rivals Wales in their key World Cup clash on Saturday.

Lancaster said he was "gutted" after the 28-25 loss in front of 81,000 people at Twickenham.

England were "19-9 up and we were going well but ill-discipline from us and Dan Biggar's great goal kicking kept them in the game," Lancaster told ITV television.

Biggar's 23 points was a record for a Welshman against England.

"I am so frustrated to have allowed Wales back into the game the way that we did," said Lancaster.

"We have talked a lot about discipline and breakdown penalties and we gave some dumb ones away which allowed them to keep in the game."

England had a penalty two minutes from the end that could have been a chance to at least secure a draw.

However, captain Chris Robshaw opted to go for a try by asking George Ford to kick to touch but the gamble failed as the Wales pack pushed the England ball carrier into touch from the ensuing lineout.

"On the field the players are making the decisions," said Lancaster.

"It was a big call to go for a corner obviously. Its great if you score and if you don't its a big moment. Obviously it is a huge moment in the game."

Robshaw's call echoed that of Japan skipper Michael Leitch last Saturday when a successful kick for goal would have forced a draw with South Africa in the final minute.

Instead he got his kicker to go for touch and eventually the Japanese went over for the try to record the greatest upset in World Cup history

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