With freezing rain swirling across Twickenham and Wales staging a spirited second-half rally lesser teams might have buckled but England displayed an stubborn streak that had coach Eddie Jones purring.
Their attacking prowess was under wraps for most of a titanic Six Nations battle with winger Jonny May's two first-half tries proving the difference on the day.
What really impressed Jones, however, during the tense 12-6 victory was the disciplined defending that enabled England to preserve their lead, despite failing to score in the second half and seal a 15th successive home win in the tournament.
"Just as in the Australia game in November it showed we can win an arm-wrestle, we can hang in there, we can find a way to win and that's an important habit to have," he said.
"You get that by working harder than other teams. Because when you have success you can get complacent and stop doing the little things that allow you to win these arm-wrestles."
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Holders England trail fellow unbeaten side Ireland on points difference but remained on course for an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.
Jones had come under fire for questioning whether Wales' flyhalf Rhys Patchell had the "bottle" for the battle during the build-up, but stood by his comments.
"Before the game I made some comments, you guys ask me to make comments before the game and I raise issues," he said.
"If you don't want me to do that I won't do it.
"In any team you try to put pressure on their nine and 10, they tried to put pressure on our nine and 10 so it's no different."
Asked how Patchell who was substituted during the second half, stood up to the test, Jones snapped: "I don't coach him mate, ask (Wales coach) Warren (Gatland)."
The closest the visitors came to scoring a try came on 61 minutes when Scott Williams just failed to reach the corner, forced into touch by Sam Underhill having trying to slide in too early.
However, the Welsh were left to lament having a try to Gareth Anscombe ruled out by the television match official (TMO).
The fullback appeared to beat England winger Anthony Watson to the ball in-goal but the TMO advised the referee not to award the try.
The disbelieving visitors were forced to settle for a penalty goal.
"He has one big call to make and unfortunately he's made a terrible mistake and at this level that's pretty disappointing," Gatland said of the TMO decision.
