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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing victors in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Crucial Plays of the Match

The first came as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the brink of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to stifle their drive.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Reece Walsh completed another breathtaking move, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided the home side being held to nil. However, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a must-win Test next weekend.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Tries: Clark.
• Goal: Mikey Lewis.

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