But James went over for a try, converted by Blair, and fellow winger Jamie Roberts went over the gameline a second time before the break.

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Tries from Jamie Roberts and James and two nerveless conversions from Ben Blair completed a remarkable comeback, before a scoreless extra time led to the competition's first shoot-out.

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Wing Williams' defence also denied the Blues as he brought Blair down after a poor Biggar clearance allowed James to launch a counter-attack.

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And with Mr Cunningham gone, only one Margaret Beckett, leader of the House of Commons was a minister under Mr Blair's most recent Labour predecessor, James Callaghan.

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St James's Palace has dismissed any suggestion of a "snub" towards Mr Blair and Mr Brown, but shadow justice minister Chris Bryant said he was unhappy with their exclusion.

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However, long kicks from Skrela to James and Blair failed to put pressure on the home defence, both back-three players calling for a mark.

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