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:
TRY! Wales 14-61 England (Henry Pollock, 79 mins)
Things getting a bit scrappy in the final knocking but England just about hold on to the ball ont he Wales 22. What a run by Roebuck, cutting inside and dragging defenders with him.
Then it’s a second Henry Pollock try! Fitting that England have the final say. Roebuck’s run gives them front-foot ball, Van Poortvliet to Ford, inside pass to Pollock running a lovely line and he bursts over the line. Too easy.
Marcus Smith conversion takes them past 60 points
TRY! Wales 14-54 England (Ben Thomas, 77 mins)
Penalty advantage for Wales as they keep thrusting for the line. The England defence holds firm until it doesn’t!
A second Ben Thomas try, nice pass by Jarrod Evans and the centre has a simple run-in. A hard-earned consolation
Wales 7-54 England, 75 mins
England playing with swagger as Daly surges through the middle but good work by Morgan to win the turnover at the ruck. Quiet game for him but that’s what he can do.
Wales into the 22, can they get a consolation try?
Wales 7-54 England, 73 mins
This has been a scintillating performance by England. So much for Steve Borthwick and his coaching staff to take forward from this one.
Wales left to contemplate a second straight wooden spoon. They need to appoint a head coach, a director of rugby and start the painful rebuild
TRY! Wales 7-54 England (Joe Heyes, 70 mins)
Relentless from England and now Joe Heyes has his first international try!
Into the 22 again, Tom Willis with a powerful carry, brought down just short of the line and offloads from the floor to the suppporting Heyes. He dives over and it’s more English joy.
Conversion added and Wales just want this to end
Wales 7-47 England, 69 mins
This has been a truly disheartening day for Wales. A real step back after the shoots of recovery shown over the past two matches under Matt Sherratt
TRY! Wales 7-47 England (Henry Pollock, 67 mins)
Good maul defence this time by Wales. England forced to spread the ball. Cunningham-South with a spinning carry before England go wide.
And there’s Henry Pollock for a debut try! Ford with an unbelievable fizzed pass, leaves Roberts for dead and Pollock strolls in down the line. Conversion added and England march on
Wales 7-40 England, 66 mins
Penalty advantage for England as Wales drive early defending the maul, Cunningham-South on the crash ball and he’s stopped just short. Back for the penalty and kicked to the corner again
Wales 7-40 England, 65 mins
George gives front-foot ball with a powerful carry and England win the penalty when Wales don’t release the tackler. To the corner again - a seventh try incoming?
Wales 7-40 England, 63 mins
England offside on halfway, giving Wales a platform to build from. Good touchfinder from Evans helps the cause.
The Welsh maul rumbles for a few metres before the backs get their shot but it’s loose, they’re forced backwards and eventually they give away the penalty when Itoje gets over the ball well. Probably sums up Wales today.
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