England launched their bid for Six Nations glory with an emphatic and chastening 48-7 mauling of a sorry Wales at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.After France dismantled Ireland in Thursday’s tournament opener, England were tasked with underscoring their status as chief rivals to the reigning champions – a challenge they rose to in ruthless fashion.
Wales were architects of their own downfall, buckling time and again under England’s brutal dominance, which saw Henry Arundell run in a first‑half hat‑trick, Ben Earl cross over, and the visitors reduced to 13 as Nicky Smith and Dewi Lake were sin‑binned.
Wales travelled to Twickenham with expectations at an all‑time low, but this drubbing – made heavier by second‑half scores from Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman and a penalty try – offered a sobering reality check for Steve Tandy’s squad, with the magnitude of the task at hand laid bare.For Steve Borthwick and England, a comprehensive bonus-point victory extends their Test winning streak to 12 games ahead of next week’s Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland at Murrayfield.
England 48-7 Wales – Score summary
England – Tries: Arundell (7, 18, 35), Roebuck (44), penalty try (67), Freeman (79); Conversions: Ford (8, 24, 36, 45); Penalties: Ford (2).
Wales – Tries: Adams (51); Conversions: D Edwards (52).
England put sorry Wales to the swordEngland ticked along at a point a minute from the outset. George Ford followed his early penalty with a miss‑pass that released Arundell in the corner for his first, establishing a 10-0 lead inside eight minutes.
Prop Smith paid the price for persistent Welsh infringements when he was sent to the bin on 17 minutes, and his captain Lake followed him 30 seconds later for cynically bringing down a maul, leaving the visitors down to 13.
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Henry Arundell scores England’s first try against Wales
It took England seconds to exploit the numerical advantage, Ford and Arundell combining again as the winger gathered the fly‑half’s cross‑field kick to touch down unopposed for his second.Wales ultimately conceded 12 points with Smith and Lake off the field, Earl marauding down the touchline and over in the corner for England’s third midway through the first half.Even when restored to their full complement, there was no respite for Wales. Fraser Dingwall…
2026-02-07 18:30:00
