Wales v England LIVE: Result and reaction from Six Nations as brilliant England seal record win in Cardiff
Wales 14-68 England: Steve Borthwick’s side ran in 10 tries to humiliate Wales and put the pressure on France in the title race
England produced one of their best performances for years to crush hapless Wales by a record 68-14 scoreline to finish the Six Nations on a high and retain a chance of winning the title should France fail to beat Scotland later.
England have 20 points after winning four matches for the first time since taking the title in 2020 but France, on 16, will top the standings with any sort of Paris victory due to their points difference advantage. Wales will come last for the second year in a row after their 17th successive defeat – a record for a Tier One nation since the game went professional.
England were in total control from the start and tries by Maro Itoje, Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman – who became the first Englishman to score in all five rounds of the competition – Chandler Cunningham-South and Will Stuart put them 33-7 ahead at half-time.
Debutant 20-year-old flanker Henry Pollock came off the bench to score two tries and Alex Mitchell, Joe Heyes and Cunningham-South crossed after the break to take the tally to 10 as England easily surpassed their previous biggest victory margin in Cardiff, the 43-9 success in a 2003 World Cup warm-up, and their previous highest score (44-15 in 2001).
Relive all the action from the Principality Stadium in our live blog below:
France host Scotland in Six Nations finale
Attention now turns to Paris - can Scotland do the Auld Enemy a favour by beating France?
You can follow all the action from the 2025 Six Nations finale here:
France vs Scotland LIVE: Six Nations Super Saturday updates
Ruthless England sign off in style with Wales thrashing to keep Six Nations title hopes alive
An anxious wait they may face to find out if they are Six Nations champions but England simply could not have done any more. In the week we wondered how Steve Borthwick’s side would handle the pressure of a Cardiff cauldron, whether they were capable of seizing the moment with a title potentially in reach.
Those questions were answered most definitively by one of England’s best performances in years. The champagne may be on ice, nails to be nibbled as they wait and see if Scotland can do them a favour in Paris, but one cannot accuse Steve Borthwick’s side of failing to grasp their opportunity in a 10-try thrashing.
Ruthless England sign off in style to keep Six Nations title hopes alive
Six Nations permutations
Right, that makes things rather simple for later - here are all the updated permutations you need to know:
What England need to win the Six Nations ahead of France finale
Tom Roebuck told the BBC:
“This was special. It is a special place and stadium. This England group is special, which is the word I would use.
“Thank you to the fans and we loved today. It was class. We spoke about our forwards getting us on the front foot with physicality, which is something we pride ourselves on. I am buzzing with my first Six Nations cap and try.
“I cannot put it into words. Every week we want to put on a big performance. We felt that we had the capability of winning well.
“Everyone has seen that Ben Curry has not got the plaudits over the years and at Sale we feel Ben is as good as Tom. They are massive for us.”
Wales captain Jac Morgan told the BBC:
“It was a tough game and gutted with the result. Credit to England as they were brilliant and clinical with the ball.
“There were aspects of the game where we lost momentum and when England have their opportunities they took them. All the boys are gutted but you cannot knock their effort in training.
“It will come hopefully and we have to keep improving. Thanks to all the fans, who continue to come out. We are disappointed with the result.”
England captain Maro Itoje told ITV Sport:
“I think it was a fantastic effort from the team. The support from our fans was fantastic.
“We have been building towards this and we are happy to end like this. The thing about consistency is you have to be consistent even when results do not go your way, no matter the outside noise and scrutiny.
“The challenge for our team is to grow and get better. That Lions captaincy is not within my control but it has been an honour and privilege to captain this side.
“We have all worked so hard for this. What will be will be. We did our job and we are happy with what we did today.”
Player of the match Ben Curry told ITV Sport:
“I think we have definitely had to work at it. This team has been through a lot.
"It is an unbelievable feeling to give that, not just to ourselves and each other but the fans as well. This is what you dream of. I love being part of this team.
"I haven't had too many opportunities over the last couple of years and I love being a part of this team."
England now need a Scottish favour
England have done their part - they’ve taken Wales apart to move above Ireland atop the Six Nations table.
They now need Scotland to beat France in Paris at 8pm to win their first Six Nations title since 2020. If France win, Fabien Galthie’s side will lift the trophy instead
FULL-TIME! Wales 14-68 England
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is that. What a brilliant, brilliant performance by England who run in 10 tries to rout a hapless Wales in a record win. Fortress Cardiff was most certainly breached.
This young Welsh side were overmatched and taken apart by a surprisingly ruthless England. Finally a complete performance for Steve Borthwick to hang his hat on.
TRY! Wales 14-68 England (Chandler Cunningham-South, 80 mins)
Still time for one more England try. It starts with a scrum in midfield and from there, every England carry makes metres. Welsh defenders being pinged backwards.
It ends with Chandler Cunningham-South barrelling over the line. A horrible way for things to end for Wales.
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