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:
Welsh banana skin gives England golden Six Nations opportunity
“We can’t be having that, can we?” Dafydd Jenkins smirked, the Wales lock stoking the fires when asked about the prospect of England winning a Six Nations title in Cardiff.
The plight of the home side may mean a meeting that, on paper, looks more lopsided than this encounter ever should but this rivalry still burns as brightly and intense as any that this championship has to offer.
Over the Severn Bridge England travel needing a favour from another auld foe to have a hope. France will need to lose to Scotland to give Steve Borthwick’s side a shot at hoisting the trophy late on Saturday night, but England dare not be preoccupied by the permutations, nor overlook the task at hand.
Taking care of their own business is a prerequisite to any mathematics that may follow; it may be 16 consecutive defeats for Wales but a win at the Principality never comes easy.
Read Harry Latham-Coyle’s analysis of this afternoon’s clash:
Welsh banana skin gives England golden Six Nations opportunity
Everything you need to know about Wales v England
England will look to take the clubhouse lead on Six Nations Super Saturday as they travel to Cardiff to take on Wales.
Ever an eagerly-anticipated fixture, the rivalry takes on extra meaning on the final day of the championship with the visitors looking to put the pressure on France, who play Scotland to conclude the tournament.
A bonus point win for England would take them clear at the top of the table and force Fabien Galthie’s side to win to wrap up the title.
But the hosts would love nothing more than ending England’s chances as they look to snap their long losing run to finish Matt Sherratt’s encouraging interim stint with a flourish.
Here’s everything you need to know:
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