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The home side's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a clinical Australian side as the tourists secured a surprisingly comfortable victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had talked at length about their motivation going into the first Ashes for 22 years, and they were certainly not short on endeavour at the famous stadium. However, in the key instances, it was the reigning title holders who displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Outstanding Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were deserving and convincing winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to keep alive their aspirations of a series victory since the 1970s.

They will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to accomplish that goal. On multiple occasions in the first half, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Walsh, who pulled off two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The initial occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh stopped Lewis as half-time neared. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself finished a excellent play.

Cleary added the extras before kicking a two-pointer on the stroke of half-time to open up a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the score for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their drive.

Should there have been uncertainty about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Munster's line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for Australia’s third try.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the final minutes as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, exploiting a tired and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Clark's consolation, which at least avoided England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

• England: Full team lineup.
• Substitutes: Litten, Walmsley, Trout, McMeeken.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Mikey Lewis.

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