England kept their Six Nations title hopes alive with a resounding 68-14 victory over Wales on March 15, 2025, at the Principality Stadium, scoring ten tries against the hapless Welsh team. The result puts significant pressure on France, who must defeat Scotland later to claim the championship.
From the very outset, England dominated the match, leading 33-7 at halftime with tries from captain Maro Itoje, Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Chandler Cunningham-South, and Will Stuart. Itoje opened the scoring just three minutes in, setting the tone for what would be England's largest ever margin of victory over Wales.
Roebuck, marking his first Test start, earned his place on the scoresheet with a try just ten minutes later, and Freeman and Cunningham-South intertwined for additional tries, highlighting England's proficiency and unity on the field. Scrum-half Alex Mitchell and debutant Henry Pollock also added to the scoreline, each finding the try line twice during the second half.
The match not only solidified England's place as serious contenders but also highlighted the dire situation for Wales, who suffered their 17th consecutive Test defeat—a new record for any Tier One country. Wales captain Jac Morgan reflected on the difficulty of the match, stating, "It was a tough game. We are gutted with the result but full credit to England, they were brilliant today and clinical when they had the ball."
Wales attempted to mount some offense, exemplified by Ben Thomas's two tries, but were significantly outclassed throughout. They struggled to maintain possession and frequently failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities, even having one disallowed early on when Blair Murray's effort was ruled out due to offside.
At halftime, the dynamic of the match was clear. England's tactical execution and physicality proved overwhelming, with head coach Steve Borthwick's strategy coming to fruition. Post-match, Itoje praised his team, saying, "We’ve been building toward this, each game we've shown a different side to us, we're just happy to finish it well."
This performance marked not only England's highest score against Wales but also surpassed previous records, breaking their own 43-9 record set during the 2003 World Cup warm-up. England's 20 points means they secured four victories during this Six Nations campaign, the first time since 2020. They now wait with bated breath for the outcome of France versus Scotland, needing the latter to win to clinch the championship.
England's performance was characterized by impressive teamwork and resilience, particularly from players like Ben Curry, whose work ethic and intensity were highlighted throughout the match. Curry, the man of the match, expressed his joy post-game: "It’s an unbelievable feeling to give this, not just to ourselves, each other but the fans as well. This is what you dream of."
Both teams entered the match under immense pressure. England, eager to prove their capability after close calls earlier in the tournament, found their rhythm quickly and never looked back. Their aggressive play style and strategic execution rendered the Welsh ineffective, showcasing their superiority at every turn.
With War and competition at the forefront, England's comprehensive victory served as not just a statement but also as inspiration, rekindling the connection with their dedicated fans who filled the stands of Cardiff. Tom Roebuck echoed sentiments felt by many, stating, "This was special. It is a special place and stadium. This England group is special, which is the word I would use."
Despite the heavy loss, Welsh captain Morgan emphasized the importance of moving forward, stating, "All the boys are gutted but you cannot knock their effort in training. It will come hopefully, and we have to keep improving."
Looking forward, England aims to leverage this momentum heading toward upcoming matches, eyeing qualification for the next British and Irish Lions tour. With Francis' title potentially slipping from their grasp, the spotlight will now also shine on Scotland and their capability to upset the reigning champions.
With England now finished for the Six Nations, they await Scotland's performance against France, hoping for victory to secure their first title since 2020. England's triumph on this day, punctuated by the aggressive play and seamless teamwork, leaves them with high hopes for the future.