On a bitterly cold Newcastle evening, Wales never got going in the first half, allowing England to build what was a match-winning 38-0 lead.
England forwards Harry Thacker and man of the match Gus Jones both crossed for braces after scrum half Henry Taylor had scored the first try of the day. Fly half Billy Burns converted all five scores and kicked a first minute penalty as the home side seized total control.
The scoring continued after the break with Zach Kibirige getting things going and Jones adding two more scores. Alex Lundberg and captain Maro Itoje completed the scoring on a miserable evening for Wales.
A late penalty try, converted by Luke Price, was Wales’ only response.
The visitors had endured a nightmare start with Burns’ penalty straight from the kick off and Taylor’s converted score giving England an early 10-0 lead. The home side’s opening try was well worked, involving prop Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi and Joel Conlon, but with 15 minutes played, Wales were yet to get going.
Despite their deficit, the Welsh scrum was one positive to take from the opening quarter, Nicky Thomas and the rest of the visiting front row clearly dominant in that area of the game. But with points failing to arrive for Byron Hayward’s side, England then added four quick scores to assume total control before the break.
No. 8 Conlon was again involved, breaking through before a few phases later, Thacker burrowed over. It was a similar story for the third, Jones scoring from close range and with Burns converting both scores, Wales now faced a worrying deficit. Sadly for the visitors, it soon got worse as Thacker and Jones then added seconds.
And with Burns inch perfect from the tee, England boasted a more than comfortable 38-0 interval advantage.
After such a slow start to the game, Wale began the second half well as a number of half time replacements helped them build some momentum. But normal service was soon resumed as Kibirige, shrugging off a number of tacklers, scored on his home turf before Jones completed his hat-trick. Burns converted Kibirige’s score before departing the scene but the scoring failed to halt.
Carmarthen Quins flanker Will Boyde was yellow carded in the build up to Jones’ third try and the London Wasps flanker soon took advantage to add his fourth of the evening. Burns’ replacement Sam Olver missed both conversion attempts and although Hayward flooded the pitch with Welsh replacements, England substitute Lundberg scored their ninth try.Â
Skipper Itoje added a tenth, Olver converting and although Wales got a late consolation penalty try after a superb break by Joshua Adams, England were deserving winners.
Scorers:
England: Taylor, Thacker (2), Jones (4), Kibirige, Lundberg, Itoje; Convs: Burns (6), Olver; Pen: Burns
Wales: Try: Penalty; Conv: Price.
