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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable win in the opening Test of the Ashes.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of effort at the famous stadium. Yet, in the key instances, it was the world champions who displayed more composure in front of a historic crowd for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, Australia were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next Saturday to keep alive their hopes of a series victory since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On several instances in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial occurred as Farnworth seemed certain to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent play.

Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to open up a eight-point lead. It was a significant point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it 14-0 in favor of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s half-break was backed up by Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it twenty to zero and there was added disappointment in the final minutes as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and clearly exhausted England defensive line for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. However, there are many issues for the coach to answer 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.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Scores: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.