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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Display from Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful move.

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking move, taking advantage of a tired and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).