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The home side's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the visitors secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the opening series for over two decades, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who showed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional display in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-match series, meaning the hosts must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

They will have to be much better with the ball if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any points. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

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

Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Angus Crichton soon 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 momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh completed another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot English defense for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

• England: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Tries: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: 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.
• Kicks: Cleary 5.