If France set the benchmark with their emphatic opening‑evening victory over Eire, then England proved they’re the primary rivals to their Six Nations crown.
Saturday’s emphatic 48-7 victory over Wales laid down a marker at first of a match wherein England should take the following step in the direction of silverware beneath Steve Borthwick.
England introduced a stage of brutality – each offensively and defensively – {that a} Welsh facet off form and in transition had no probability of containing.
World‑class scrum‑half Tomos Williams and Louis Rees‑Zammit, deployed at full‑again in his first Six Nations look since getting back from his stint within the NFL, had been neutralised and nullified, leaving Wales defenceless towards the onslaught that adopted.
England’s dominance was asserted at a canter, with out the necessity to transfer past second gear. They plundered 48 factors, and everybody inside Allianz Stadium agreed they might – and may – have had extra.
“We’re obviously delighted with the result, and by and large I thought the performance was good,” England fly‑half and participant of the match George Ford stated.
“There’s a tad bit of frustration in that as well. We wanted a good start, a decent performance, and we got that. But we probably left a bit out there today.”
Henry Arundell scored a first-half hat-trick towards Wales in England’s Six Nations opener
Tandy rues ‘self-inflicted’ components of defeat
Disaster‑stricken Wales arrived at Twickenham with expectations at an unprecedented low given the off‑subject turmoil engulfing Welsh rugby.
On the pitch, they hastened their downfall with a brainless first‑quarter mired by disciplinary points.
In a 21-minute spell, Wales conceded 10 penalties and noticed entrance‑rowers Nicky Smith and Dewi Lake despatched to the sin‑bin.
England scored 12 factors whereas Wales had been all the way down to 13 to extinguish any hope of the unlikeliest of upsets.
“We’re really frustrated,” head coach Steve Tandy stated. “Through the autumn and working with the group, I’ve loved it, but we’re more disappointed with ourselves today.
“A number of what occurred was self‑inflicted. We felt we had been in a great place, however to lose whereas having 4 yellow playing cards and being very inaccurate with the ball, you are all the time going to fall behind on the scoreboard.
“It’s part of the game, and part of our journey to where we need to go. We are where we are for a reason.
“Finally, we’re actually dissatisfied with our efficiency tonight. England are in a very great spot, however we’re bitterly dissatisfied.”
Steve Borthwick is adamant England can enhance regardless of the seven-try mauling of Wales of their Six Nations opener
Borthwick insists loads of room for enchancment
England’s problem earlier than the Six Nations was clear: attain their Spherical 5 conflict with France in Paris with a Grand Slam nonetheless on the desk.
Trying that far forward, although, is a certain method to derail their ambitions – particularly with challenges tougher than Wales, starting with Saturday’s journey to Murrayfield, looming.
England could enter the Calcutta Cup as holders and Scotland could also be reeling from their 18‑15 opening‑spherical defeat in Italy, however England haven’t received in Edinburgh since 2020.
That victory got here two years earlier than Borthwick’s appointment, and the England head coach outlined a lot of areas for enchancment earlier than travelling to Murrayfield.
“Defensively we were excellent,” he stated. “We know Wales have got so many dangerous players and pace out wide and we shut them down really well.
“Our kicking recreation was good and the set‑piece did a great job, however there’s loads of room for enchancment. What is actually pleasing is we created a great deal of alternatives and we will get higher at changing these.
“Especially in that second half, we didn’t convert the opportunities in the manner I would like us to. There is plenty for us to go and work on.”
England’s 2026 Six Nations fixtures
All instances UK and Eire
- England 48-7 Wales (Saturday February 7) – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (4.40pm)
- vs Scotland (Saturday February 14) – Murrayfield (4.40pm)
- vs Eire (Saturday February 21) – Allianz Stadium, Twickenham (2.10pm)
- vs Italy (Saturday March 7) – Stadio Olimpico, Rome (4.40pm)
- vs France (Saturday March 14) – Stade de France, Paris (8.10pm)
