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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australian side as the visitors swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach's team had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be much better with the possession if they are to accomplish that goal. On several instances in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Cleary converted before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score advantage. It was a significant moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least avoided the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).