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The home side's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australian side as the tourists swept to a surprisingly comfortable victory in the first match 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 crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more calmness in front of a historic crowd for an series match in the UK of more than 60,000.

Outstanding Performance from Reece Walsh

Led by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable winners in the first match of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

They will have to be significantly improved with the possession if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in promising positions but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in no small part thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful interceptions.

Crucial Plays 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 the break approached. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a wonderful play.

Nathan Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a significant moment, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

Should there have been uncertainty about the victors, they were decisively settled 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 twenty to zero and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking move, exploiting a weary and clearly exhausted English defensive line for his second try.

Final Score and Outlook

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Clark's consolation, 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 Test next Saturday.

• Home Side: Welsby; Young, Farnworth, Wardle, Johnstone; Williams, Lewis; Havard, Clark, Lees, Bateman, Pearce-Paul, Knowles.
• Interchange: Bench players.
• Try: Clark.
• Conversion: Lewis.

• Australia: Walsh; Nawaqanitawase, Staggs, Shibasaki, Addo-Carr; Munster, Cleary; Carrigan, Grant, Fa’asuamaleaui, Crichton, Young, Yeo.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Reece Walsh (two), Angus Crichton (two).
• Kicks: Cleary 5.