With Wales taking on England this Saturday at the Millennium Stadium in a Euro 2012 Qualifier, Sport.co.uk look at some of the more compelling encounters between the two neighbours over the past 30 years.
1980 - Wales 4 - 1 England
Since the abolition of the British Home Championship Wales have rarely had the chance to put one over their neighbours, however, four years before the curtain was brought down on the competition in 1984 they recorded their biggest ever scalp with a 4-1 win at Wrexham’s packed Racehorse Ground. England were in rich vein of form heading into this match preparing for the 1980 European Championships and had just beaten the world champions Argentina 3-1 at Wembley. Wales took the lead within 30 minutes with goals from Mickey Thomas and Ian Walsh after Paul Mariner had given England an early lead. Leighton James who tormented England all day scored the third before pressurising Phil Thompson into putting the ball into his own net. This is Wales biggest ever victory against England, all masterminded by a man making his international debut as a manager, Mike England.
Boxing / 1997 - Chris Eubank v Joe Calzaghe
Joe Calzaghe claimed his WBO Super Middleweight title in a classic bout against Chris Eubank in October 1997. Calzaghe, who was really starting to make a name for himself in the world of boxing, floored Eubank in the first round, causing for an all action fight to ensue where Calzaghe comfortably racked up the points with a heavy hitting display. Eubank and his fans would argue that he took the fight at short notice and was an ageing veteran, but subsequent displays against Carl Thompson suggest he was not far past his peak. However the Welshman proved he was superior with a comfortable win on points, announcing himself on the world stage.
Rugby / 1999 - England 31 - 32 Wales
In the final game of the Five Nations Championships, England were leading by 6 points and were heading to their sixth Grand Slam title, but Scott Gibbs and Neil Jenkins had other ideas. It was Gibbs who initially put a spanner in the works when he barged through the England line at amazing pace and superb angle to score a try that will forever be etched in the memory of Welsh rugby fans. It was then Jenkins turn to seal the win by calmly slotting the ball over in the resulting conversion. Wales won by a single point taking the Grand Slam away from England and handing it to Scotland on points difference.
Football / 2004 - England 2 – 0 Wales
With Rio Ferdinand returning to action after an eight month ban for a missed drugs test and Wayne Rooney available for selection after recovering from the injury which had curtailed his involvement in Euro 2004, England calmly overcame a spirited Wales side. Despite playing only twice that season in the build-up to the game, Rooney ran the game from the off operating as a deep lying striker behind the quick front two of Owen and Defoe. It was Frank Lampard, however, who opened the scoring with his shot on the edge of the penalty area just clipping the heels of Michael Owen as the ball flew in. David Beckham wrapped up proceedings, side stepping past the challenge of Gary Speed and producing a beautifully orchestrated chip beyond the reach of goalkeeper Paul Jones into the top right hand corner.
Rugby / 2000 - England 46 - Wales 12
England were rampant in this 2000 Six Nations encounter socring five tries against the Welsh in a one sided affair. England, then a side in transition, were building a team that would eventually win the Rugby World Cup three years later in Australia. It was sweet revenge after the Grand Slam denying defeat of the year before. Dominating possession Phil Greening, Richard Hill, Lawrence Dallaglio and Neil Back all secured tries whilst Ben Cohen added to the rout a few minutes from time. Welsh indiscipline, which saw both Scott Quinnell and Garin Jenkins receive spells in the sin-bin, allowed Jonny Wilkinson to notch a tally of twenty-one points. Wales were left to regroup after this disastrous loss whilst England marched on to the prospect of a Grand Slam-winning tournament.