England thrashed Wales 68-14 in Cardiff to go top of the Six Nations table and keep their title hopes alive. Steve Borthwick’s side need France to drop points against Scotland in the 8pm kick-off to secure the title. Tries from Maro Itoje, Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, Will Stuart, Alex Mitchell and Joe Heyes – alongside Chandler Cunningham-South and Henry Pollock braces – gave Wales their record loss.
Ben Thomas scored both of Wales’ tries on a day they will want to quickly erase from the memory. Express Sport takes a look at how both sets of players fared at the Principality Stadium…
England ratings
15. Marcus Smith – Good night under the high ball but one howler when kicking straight out 6
14. Tom Roebuck – First start for Sale flyer and superb finish for his second Test try 7
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13. Tommy Freeman – Switched to centre and made it five tries in five games. Excellent 8
12. Fraser Dingwall – Glue player for Northampton and held things together here for England midfield 7
11. Elliot Daly – Back on wing and did his bit on kick chase and hitting the line 7
10. Fin Smith – Had a hand or boot in first two tries in an accomplished display 9
9. Alex Mitchell – Busy again from the Northampton man who linked play nicely 8
1. Ellis Genge – On tenterhooks before game with new baby due but delivered at scrum time 8
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie – One chop tackle on Murray saved a score but line out needs work 6
3. Will Stuart – 50TH cap for Bath man and a try and destined to make the Lions squad 8
4. Maro Itoje (capt) – Scored a tone-setting first try and led from the front all night 8
5. Ollie Chessum – Suffered a bad shoulder stinger injury after 18 minutes when in good nick 6
6. Tom Curry – Bionic man was all over the park again tackling and taking game to Welsh 8
7. Ben Curry – Like his twin brother covered every blade of grass in dynamic showing 8
8. Ben Earl – Great on the floor again winning ball before moving to centre on 48 mins 8
Replacements: Jamie George 6 (for Cowan-Dickie 46), Fin Baxter 5 (for Genge 62), Joe Heyes 6 (for Stuart 46), Chandler Cunningham-South 7 (for Chessum 18), Henry Pollock 7 (for Freeman 48), Tom Willis 5 (for B.Curry 58), Jack van Poortvliet 5 (for Mitchell 67), George Ford 7 (for F.Smith 55)
Wales ratings
15. Blair Murray – Kiwi-born 15 had early try disallowed which was a body blow for Welsh 6
14. Ellis Mee – Botched a second half score on rare occasion he managed to get into it 5
13. Max Llewellyn – Gloucester’s Llewellyn adds power to the backline but outgunned early 5
12. Ben Thomas – Cardiff midfielder took try smartly and defended manfully in rearguard 6
11. Joe Roberts – Another winger who had a quiet day for Wales and never looked for ball 5
10. Gareth Anscombe – One desperate penalty kick to touch and hooked early in second half 5
9. Tomos Williams – Been out of nick in tournament this tournament but slight improvement here 6
1. Nicky Smith – Leicester prop part of a front row who were given a torrid afternoon 4
2. Elliot Dee – Replaced at the break after Welsh front row wilted in first half 4
3. WillGriff John – Struggled against Genge at the scrum and replaced at half-time after bad day 4
4. Will Rowlands – Ex-Wasps lock was supposed to be the new Alun Wyn Jones. He’s not 5
5. Dafydd Jenkins – Exeter lock never gave up the fight but was in an outgunned pack 6
6. Aaron Wainwright – Back starting and back to his big ball carrying best but missed sitter 6
7. Jac Morgan (capt) – Shining light for Wales in their dark days and battled manfully here 6
8. Taulupe Faletau – Lions veteran was not at peak like last weekend against Scotland. Off early 5
Replacements: Dewi Lake 5 (for Dee HT), Gareth Thomas 5 (for Smith 52), Kieron Assiratti 4 (for John HT), Teddy Williams 4 (for Rowlands 47), Tommy Reffell 5 (for Faletau 52), Rhodri Williams 4 (for T.Williams 62), Jarrod Evans 6 (for Anscombe 47), Nick Tompkins 5 (for Llewellyn 56)
Referee: Nic Berry (AUS)