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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of the interval to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their drive.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).