England recorded a decisive 68-14 victory over Wales on March 15, 2025, during the final day of the Six Nations tournament. This spectacular win has reinvigorated England's hopes for the tournament title, as they put significant pressure on France, who must win their match against Scotland later to secure the championship.
Head coach Steve Borthwick expressed pride in his team's performance, praising their ability to challenge themselves and rise to the occasion. "It’s a young and developing team. We challenged them to play with the attitude we wanted to adopt, and they did exactly what we asked," he said during the post-match interview with BBC One.
England’s dominant display at the Millennium Stadium began with Maro Itoje scoring the first try just two minutes in, giving England early momentum (0-7). The 22-year-old fly-half Fin Smith showcased his remarkable talent and composure, delivering precise passes throughout the match. Smith, having stepped up as starting fly-half against France earlier this tournament, played a pivotal role, finding space and setting up not just one but multiple runs for positional tries.
At the 10th minute, Smith delivered a long, well-placed pass to winger Tom Roebuck, who crossed the line for the second England try (14-0). England demonstrated remarkable offensive depth, concluding the game with ten tries, showcasing contributions from across the team including Tommy Freeman, Chandler Cunningham-South, Will Stuart, Joe Heyes, Alex Mitchell, and Henry Pollock.
Despite their efforts, the Welsh team was unable to match the pace and skill of the English side, marking their 17th consecutive defeat. Interim coach Matt Sherratt expressed frustration and disappointment, stating, "I am really disappointed for the players, it’s a good group and they deserve more." Wales concluded the tournament without registering a single win for the second consecutive year, highlighting their struggles within the wider framework of the Six Nations.
The match itself served not only as the final statement for England but as a stark reminder of Wales’ turmoil. They ended the match suffering their heaviest home loss, eclipsing the previous record against New Zealand (23-55) two years ago. This adds to the urgency for Welsh rugby to reassess its strategies and future direction as they fall from grace.
The English team finished the tournament with four victories, only one point behind France, who they had narrowly beaten earlier this season (26-25). This performance reflects their remarkable turnaround following a disappointing 2024 season, showcasing significant improvements and instilling hope for their fans. Borthwick noted, "Even when results weren’t going our way, we continued to be consistent. The challenge for our team is to keep growing and improving," outlining the team's vision and ambition moving forward.
The concluding stages of the tournament now rest heavily on France's shoulders, as they prepare to meet Scotland later today. Should France emerge victorious, they will clinch the title, succeeding Ireland. Nevertheless, regardless of the outcome of the final match, England's performance against Wales sends ripples through the tournament, establishing them as contenders ready to reclaim glory after five long years.