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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australian side as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes for over two decades, and they were definitely full of effort at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be much better with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before adding a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to leave early and many did not see Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer going into what is now a must-win match next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Bench players.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).