England brushed aside Wales 48-7 in a one-sided Six Nations contest to conclude round one.
Steve Borthwick’s side matched France’s statement efforts against injury-hit Ireland in Paris on opening night, running in seven tries in a 12th successive victory after Italy had stunned below-par Scotland in Rome.
Henry Arundell helped himself to a first-half hat-trick on his first Test start since the 2023 World Cup, with Ben Earl also scoring during a one-sided first half as England led 29-0 at the break.
Tom Roebuck quickly added to the rout and there was a penalty try for the hosts after Josh Adams had finally answered back, with Tommy Freeman scoring in the final seconds as Wales suffered their 12th consecutive Six Nations defeat.
The try count was almost matched by the number of yellow cards shown by referee Pierre Brousset, with Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake, Maro Itoje, Ben Thomas and Taine Plumtree all spending time in the sin bin.
Ben Coles rates the England players’ performances at Allianz Stadium Twickenham...
Backs
Freddie Steward 7
Recovered from an early knock and will have enjoyed one run past a chasing Louis Rees-Zammit. One lovely basketball pass over the top to Chessum.
Tom Roebuck 8
Back a week earlier than planned after Immanuel Feyi-Waboso dropped out but looked sharp, roaming off his wing to create overlaps and confuse defenders. Earned his try.
Tommy Freeman 8
Has the size at 13 to always gain extra metres and beat the first defender at will. Not on the same page as Roebuck with one pass but more than deserved his late try.
Fraser Dingwall 7
Has that instinctive relationship with Freeman from Northampton. Pick up of a loose Welsh pass led to Arundell’s hat-trick score. Combined well with Ford, setting up Roebuck’s try.
Henry Arundell 8
Surely the easiest hat-trick he will ever score, with two assist gifts from Ford before a Wales attack broke down and he raced away.
George Ford 8 - Star player
Delightful flat pass to put Arundell over for the opener and a chip pass supplied Arundell’s second, two real touches of quality to go with a couple of line breaks.
Alex Mitchell 7
No spectacular snipes here but they weren’t needed, supplying easy ball for Ford throughout and box-kicking effectively too. Rees-Zammit burst through one tackle attempt.
Forwards
Ellis Genge 7
Will have been annoyed at his reaction to Alex Mann’s wind-up, giving away a penalty, and at being held up. Otherwise, all over Archie Griffin at the scrum.
Jamie George 7
Part of a starting front row who made light work of Wales at the scrum. Communication, as picked up over the referee’s microphone, is excellent.
Joe Heyes 8
Counter-ruck with Pepper forced a turnover and led to three points, while he thrived at the scrum up against his Leicester team-mate Smith.
Alex Coles 8
Should take credit for England’s quick ruck speed, doing his bit to clear out the bodies, and has the bulk and skills to be a very good starting Test lock.
Ollie Chessum 8
Forced one pass forward under pressure from Tomos Williams, one of two moments where he lost possession, but otherwise very good and physically imposing.
Guy Pepper 8
Pest at the breakdown, combining with Heyes, and while he would want one ruck penalty back, his defensive work-rate was high, leading England’s charge with 14 tackles.
Sam Underhill 7
Alert for an early chargedown on Dan Edwards that led to the opening points and he was typically busy in defence before Curry arrived.
Ben Earl 8
Quality finish holding off the covering Ellis Mee to score in the corner. Had a great turnover wiped out by a sealing off penalty and led England’s carrying numbers with 17, finishing up at inside centre.
Replacements
Luke Cowan-Dickie (George 50’) 6
Neck roll at a ruck denied a try for Freeman late on.
Bevan Rodd (Genge 40’) 7
On at half-time for his first cap since last summer and immediately picked up a scrum penalty. Excellent pass helped create Pollock’s non-try.
Trevor Davison (Heyes 50’) 6
Big rumble before being stopped just short of the line went down well with the crowd.
Maro Itoje (Coles 50’) 5
Barely on before he was sent to the bin for repeated team infringements, making this a light evening by his usual busy standards.
Tom Curry (Underhill 50’) 5
Good link-up play in the loose but picked up a late yellow card.
Henry Pollock (Roebuck 65’) 7
Always seems to score although this time his effort was denied by a foot in touch (and an illegal tackle).
Ben Spencer (Mitchell 67’) 6
Unfortunately nudged one kick behind out on the full.
Marcus Smith (Steward 65’) 6
Relishes the space on offer returning kicks from full-back and always a threat.
