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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an outstanding showing in offense and defense from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England 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 unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then the fullback stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Kangaroos had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary converted before kicking a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a two-score advantage. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton soon after the resumption which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Reece Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defense for his second.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are plenty of questions for the coach to address going into what is now a do-or-die Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Daryl Clark.
• Goal: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Nathan Cleary (five).