England's rugby team capped off their Six Nations campaign with a historic 68-14 win over Wales at the Principality Stadium on March 15, 2025. This match marked England's best-ever victory against their rivals, cementing their status as serious contenders for the upcoming British & Irish Lions tour.
Under the captaincy of Maro Itoje, England displayed unprecedented dominance, crossing the try line ten times. Itoje, who took over as captain at the beginning of the 2025 season from Jamie George, celebrates his first Six Nations campaign with ease, securing four wins out of five matches. "Maro has been absolutely outstanding," remarked Steve Borthwick, England's head coach, pointing out Itoje's exceptional leadership skills.
The match was not just significant for its scoreline but also for the resurgence it represented for English rugby. Following their disappointing start against Ireland, where they suffered defeat, England rebounded vigorously, showing the kind of resilience they had missed for much of the previous year. Following their triumphs over formidable teams like France and Scotland, England’s performance against Wales set the tone for their aspirations heading forward.
Borthwick highlighted how the match was approached: "We spoke about this being a special place to come and play, and how we wanted to approach the game. I wanted the players to play big, play fast, and aggressive with the ball; and that's exactly what they did." This strategic mindset proved effective as they launched their attack right from the kickoff.
This victory also has significant ramifications for the upcoming Lions tour to Australia. With many strong performances throughout the Six Nations, Borthwick hinted at the difficult decisions facing head coach Andy Farrell, stating, "The players have probably created some good headaches for Andy. Lots of players are putting their hands up and showing why they should be on the plane for the Lions."
Itoje is among the leading candidates for the Lions captaincy, alongside Ireland's Caelan Doris. His experience from prior tours adds weight to his candidacy, and Borthwick expressed confidence: "If Andy asks him, I have full confidence in Maro’s ability to lead the Lions."
Alongside Itoje, players like Henry Pollock made significant contributions to this emphatic win. Pollock, who made his debut and scored two tries, showcased his potential on the international stage. "It’s always a tell sign when you have a young player who’s absolutely annoying when he’s on the other side," Itoje shared about Pollock’s contributions, indicating his high regard for the debutant.
England's victory was characterized by aggressive play; they managed to go 14-0 up against Wales within the first ten minutes, followed by building on their momentum with multiple tries. The high point of the game came with five more tries scored after halftime, leaving the Welsh side reeling. This performance proved to be England's best return during the Six Nations since their title-winning year of 2020.
The aftermath of the match has left fans and pundits buzzing about the possibilities for the Lions tour. With 11 English players having initially been selected for the previous Lions tour to South Africa, Borthwick anticipates similar representation this year, saying, "Hopefully, there will be lots of England players heading down under on the Lions plane."
The victorious match not only brings pride to the squad but also emphasizes the strong growth and potential of the team under Borthwick's coaching. Attention now turns to the summer and the challenges posed by the Lions tour, but for now, England fans can savor this monumental victory over their Welsh rivals.
The Six Nations campaign might have yielded second place for England as France clinched the title with their victory against Scotland, but the focus now shifts to how many players from this vibrant squad will join the Lions. After such dazzling displays, the expectations are sky-high for both the players and the fans alike.