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

Shaun Wane’s side had spoken effusively about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at Wembley. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more calmness in front of a record attendance for an series match in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional display in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed certain to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a penalty on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point advantage. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for Australia’s third try.

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

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to address going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

• Visitors: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Interchange: Reserves.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Goals: Cleary 5.