England 48-7 Wales: Hosts make emphatic start to Six Nations

A remorseless England piled pain and points on Wales as they began their hunt for the Six Nations title with a 48-7 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Wing Henry Arundell, making his first start for his country in more than two years, scored a first-half hat-trick as England put themselves out of sight before the break.

Josh Adams was picked out by Dan Edwards’ precise punt for Wales’s solitary try five minutes after the restart, but, for the most part, the one-way traffic continued to steamroll the visitors.

Tom Roebuck added to Ben Earl’s first-half try, before the introduction of Marcus Smith, Henry Pollock and returning captain Maro Itoje energised England for the final quarter.

Earl, as he did in the 68-14 romp in Cardiff last year, switched to midfield late on as England used the remaining game time to try out new patterns for the campaign to come.

Tommy Freeman, who scored in all five of England’s games in the tournament last year, powered his way over in the last play of the game to keep his scoring streak going.

Wales have now won only two of their past 24 Test matches, while the domestic game is racked with uncertainty and rancour as the Welsh Rugby Union attempt to restructure four regional sides.

Ominously they take on France, the defending champions who took apart Ireland on Thursday night, next weekend.

The contrast to England is stark. The hosts’ 12th straight victory was roared to the rafters and belief is swelling that their run can carry them to a first title since 2020.

A far tougher test of those credentials awaits in the shape of a wounded Scotland in Edinburgh next weekend, but their mix of accurate attack and furious defence was hard to fault.

It was certainly too potent for Wales.

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