England secured their position as serious contenders for the 2025 Six Nations title with a commanding 68-14 victory over Wales at the Principality Stadium on March 15, 2025. The match highlighted England's power and skill as they showcased their attacking capabilities by scoring 10 tries, eclipsing previous records.
Captain Maro Itoje opened the scoring for England less than three minutes from kickoff, asserting dominance early on. This set the tone for what would become one of the most one-sided encounters at this level. The match not only marked England’s return to form but also put immense pressure on France, who would need to win their clash against Scotland later to claim the championship themselves.
England’s coach Steve Borthwick had been vocal about his side’s need to play with aggression and speed, and they certainly answered the call. With bold selections and tactical decisions, England fielded players who thrived under the spotlight. rookie Tom Roebuck, making his debut, scored his first international try just minutes after Itoje's opener.
The match quickly turned bleak for Wales when England’s relentless attack proved too strong. By halftime, England led 33-7, with Wales’s sole score coming from Ben Thomas shortly after they had initially had another try ruled out.
Ben Curry was named Player of the Match after showcasing extraordinary prowess throughout the game. He combined well with brother Tom Curry, as the pair relentlessly pressured the Welsh side and effectively subdued their offense. Wales’ misery was amplified by their 17th consecutive defeat, setting new lows for the national team.
The scoring frenzy continued for England well after the halftime break, starting with Alex Mitchell tapping off England’s next surge with another try five minutes after the interval. Young Henry Pollock, who debuted alongside Roebuck, added two more tries to his name, delightful contributions validating the promising future of English rugby.
Chandler Cunningham-South, who also proved to be formidable, scored just before halftime and added another try during the final minutes, bringing his total for the match to two. This late score epitomized England’s dominance, as it came from relentless pressure, easily converting what might have been resultant errors for Wales.
Wales had little to celebrate beyond Thomas's scoring efforts; their performance was riddled with errors and miscommunications. With each passing minute, it became increasingly difficult for the Welsh side to rally, and they found themselves outclassed at every turn. The pressures faced by interim coach Matt Sherratt only compounded as the pressure mounted from both sides and the scoreboard echoed the tension.
Looking at player performances, England's forwards were sensational, dominating scrums and lineouts, led by Itoje's commanding presence. Each front-row player, from Ellis Genge to Will Stuart, had standout performances, earning high marks for their contributions to the team’s collective effort. England’s defense was equally impenetrable allowing Wales few opportunities to gather momentum.
Post-match, Itoje reflected on the feeling of the win. “I think it was a fantastic effort from the team. The support here in Cardiff was amazing,” he stated. His praise underscored the camaraderie among the team, even as they faced scrutiny during tougher matches leading up to this standout performance.
Ben Curry echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the effort it took to get to this point and the joy of scoring such decisive victory. “It is an unbelievable feeling to give this not just to ourselves and each other, but the fans as well,” he remarked.
With this triumph, England now sits at the top of the Six Nations table, with 20 points—one point above Ireland and four points clear of France. The pressure now falls on France, who will attempt to secure their title by achieving victory against Scotland later. Meanwhile, Wales walks away from another heavy defeat still seeking their first win since the 2023 World Cup. Their loss not only solidifies their position at the bottom of the table but continues to fuel questions about the future direction of Welsh rugby.
With two more tries counting for Pollock on debut, fans are optimistic about the future of English rugby, sparking ideas of new combinations and potential strengths to address as they look beyond this season.
Overall, this match has been highlighted not only as one of England's biggest wins but as another overwhelming defeat for Wales. Speculations will grow as rugby enthusiasts await to see how these teams adjust and re-strategize as they grapple with their positions within the Six Nations framework.