Wales suffered a devastating 68-14 defeat to England in Cardiff, conceding 10 tries in what became a record-breaking loss for the Six Nations tournament. The Welsh rugby team finds itself at an all-time low, facing challenges in the aftermath of this crushing defeat. Rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas provides insights and player ratings following this dismal performance from Wales.
Blair Murray, despite having an early try disallowed, emerged as Wales’ standout attacking player in the match. He displayed promising offensive skills and was a consistent threat to the opposition. On the other hand, Joe Roberts struggled with positional play, being out of his regular spot as a centre playing on the wing, which was evident in his performance. Max Llewellyn showed some glimpses of positivity with his strong carries, but Wales’ overall attack lacked effectiveness throughout the game.
Ben Thomas managed to score two tries, but the Welsh midfield defence faced significant challenges against England’s attacks. The inconsistencies in Ben Thomas’ performance were highlighted, pointing towards the team’s struggle to contain the visitors. Ellis Mee, used extensively as a ball carrier, faced difficulties in breaking through the opposition’s defence and missed crucial opportunities, reflecting the overall struggles of the Welsh team.
Gareth Anscombe, operating behind a struggling forward pack, failed to ignite Wales’ attack and faced challenges with his kicking game. Tomos Williams couldn’t replicate his club form at the international level, impacting Wales’ performance in crucial moments. The scrum, led by Nicky Smith, encountered significant pressure throughout the game, highlighting areas of improvement needed in the forward pack.
The replacements, including Dewi Lake and Gareth Thomas, brought some positive energy to the team, but couldn’t turn the tide against England’s dominance. The overall performance of the Welsh team fell short in various departments, with players like WillGriff John and Will Rowlands struggling to make an impact physically. Despite individual efforts from players like Dafydd Jenkins and Jac Morgan, Wales failed to match England’s intensity, leading to a disappointing outcome for the team.
The match highlighted the challenges faced by Welsh rugby at present, with a need for introspection and improvement moving forward. The heavy defeat serves as a wake-up call for the team, urging them to regroup and address the underlying issues affecting their performance. As Wales navigates through this difficult period, there is a pressing need for collective effort and resilience to overcome the setbacks and strive for better results in future fixtures.