The Six Nations clash between England and Wales at Principality Stadium on March 15, 2025, will be remembered for England's record-breaking victory, leaving Wales with significant disappointment as they face the hard truth of their performance this season.
With the final score at 68-14, England's dominance was evident as they scored ten tries, marking Wales' second consecutive Six Nations campaign ending with the wooden spoon. Princess Catherine, known for her sporting spirit as the patron of the Rugby Football Union, was celebrating England's success, having witnessed the match first-hand alongside her husband, Prince William, who serves as patron of the Welsh Rugby Union since 2016.
The couple's attendance at the game brought both rivalry and excitement, with Kate cheering for England and William supporting Wales. While Kate was visibly euphoric during England's triumph, the atmosphere soured for Welsh supporters as the match progressed, with empty seats appearing across the stadium as fans left, disappointed by the performance of their team.
Despite empty seats, the echoes of ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ reverberated throughout Cardiff, signifying the English side’s successful completion of the match with yet another try. This defeat for Wales was the starkest of the season, conceding the biggest score they ever have at home, even worse than their previous record of losing by 55 points to New Zealand.
Throughout the match, both royals embodied their respective team spirits. While Princess Catherine beamed with joy, posing for selfies with fans, Prince William, clad in red for the Welsh team, reflected the somber mood of many Welsh supporters after the thrashing. Earlier, both royals had met with injured players supported by the Welsh Rugby Charitable Trust, indicating their commitment to the sport and its community.
Wales’ coach, Matt Sherratt, reflected on the harrowing match, stating, “There’s no point going on too much detail. I feel for the players,” emphasizing the emotional toll the game had on them. Sherratt, who had been interim head coach following Warren Gatland's departure, acknowledged the challenges faced during the tournament.
“The players are gutted. It was tough. We faced challenges, but they concede points,” he added, lamenting the scale of the defeat and its impact on the players and fans alike.
Earlier this season, Wales struggled under similar pressure, leading to another wooden spoon. The loss marked not just another low point for Welsh rugby, but also raised questions about the immediate future of the sport within the country.
England's impressive restructuring under coach Steve Borthwick has seen them rise to second place, now just one point behind France as the competition for the Six Nations trophy heats up. This week’s win against Wales marked their third consecutive victory, positioning them well for what remains of the tournament. While England prepared for the next unexpected confrontation, Wales looked to regroup from this harsh reality.
Both nations head forward with differing aspirations; England remains checkmated for the title, needing to win their next match against Scotland for any chance of taking the championship, whilst Wales focuses on rebuilding and recovering from the significant defeats they endured.
Still reeling from the loss, the Welsh fans could only hope for change within their rugby set-up, especially with sad acknowledgments of how far behind they have fallen. The open-air Principality Stadium witnessed the highest number of points ever conceded by the Welsh team on home soil – underscoring the urgent need for Wales rugby to regroup, rethink, and rehabilitate going forward.
The next Six Nations match presents both countries with opportunities to showcase their mettle – England seizing theirs enthusiastically, and Wales needing to cement their improvement as they prepare for their upcoming challenges.
Despite the difficulties, Welsh rugby retains substantial community backing, with hopes to turn the tide and inspire future talents. How Wales responds to this tumultuous defeat will define their path forward, possibly fueling the necessary evolution of their rugby endeavors.