England firmly established their dominance on March 15, 2025, defeating Wales with a staggering score of 68-14 at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. This momentous victory not only marked England’s highest margin against their rivals but also solidified their position as strong contenders for the Six Nations title, though they would eventually fall short as France outclassed Scotland.
With this emphatic win, England claimed second place, securing their bonus point earlier than half-time. The performance left Wales reeling, as they suffered their second consecutive wooden spoon, extending their losing streak to 17 matches—the most for any tier-one nation since the advent of professional rugby.
Captain Maro Itoje praised his team’s efforts after the match, emphasizing, “I think it was a fantastic effort from the team. The support here in Cardiff was amazing. We have been building toward this and we are showing a different side to us.” This new strategy displayed by head coach Steve Borthwick was evident as England displayed aggressiveness and coordination on the pitch.
Closing out the game with ten tries, England’s attack was bolstered by quick transitions and capitalizing on Welsh errors. The first try came merely three minutes in, with Itoje crashing over to set the tone for the exhilarating clash. Just eight minutes later, Wales nearly responded through Blair Murray, only for his lower-than-average kick to be ruled out following review.
The English forwards proved to be simply too hefty for their Welsh counterparts, sending Tom Roebuck across the line for England’s second score. His powerful finish, combined with other impactful performances from players like Chandler Cunningham-South and Henry Pollock, helped to build the lead early. England quickly amassed four tries as they racked up score after score.
After Ben Thomas scored the only try for Wales, providing some relief to the beleaguered home side, England surged back with renewed vigor. Alex Mitchell was instrumental, drawing defenders and creating space, before securing their fifth try.
Throughout the game, communication and decision-making seemed to flow effortlessly for England, allowing Fin Smith and others to capitalize effectively. Borthwick’s tactical adjustments were clear; the side played more cohesively compared to their earlier matches, leaving the Welsh scrambling on defense.
With growing pressure, England did not relent. The introduction of young star Henry Pollock at the right moment was another deciding factor, as he scored two tries: one from the right side of the pitch, and another feeding off smart passes from Ford and running plays. Pollock's flair demonstrated the future of England's rugby.
England's freshness on the pitch contrasted sharply with the struggles of Wales, who failed to find continuity throughout the match. Despite having some possible opportunities, their execution fell short, too often losing possession. Coach Matt Sherratt's post-match sentiments reflected the challenges facing the team, highlighting the pressing need to rebuild and learn from this painful episode.
The end of the match saw Chandler Cunningham-South score the final points for England, bringing the final score to 68-14, as he celebrated his debut try with enthusiasm. According to Ben Curry, “This is what you dream of. I love being part of this team. I have not had too many opportunities over the last couple of years and I love being part of this team.”
The match concluded to subdued applause from the Welsh crowd, who had hoped for more than just minor moments of glory. Their defeat marks another difficult chapter within the professional era.
Despite the disappointing result, both teams have lessons to take away. For England, they will reflect upon the importance of high-performance collaboration and will look to build on this momentum moving forward. Wales, on the other hand, faces scrutiny and will need to find unity and resilience as they prepare for future tournaments. The gulf between the teams remains stark, necessitating earnest reflection from the Welsh Rugby Union and their coaching staff.