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England's offensive weaknesses were laid bare and capitalized on by a ruthless Australia as the tourists secured a worryingly straightforward win in the first match of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s side had talked at length about their drive going into the first Ashes 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 displayed more composure in front of a record attendance for an Ashes Test in the UK of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from Brisbane Broncos’ Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must triumph at Goodison Park next weekend to sustain their hopes of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

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

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the opening try, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as half-time approached. By then, the Kangaroos had taken the lead as Reece Walsh himself completed a excellent move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a penalty on the brink of the interval to establish a eight-point lead. It was a pivotal point, as was the try for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the Kangaroos. England now had to score three times and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Munster's half-break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Jack Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was further humiliation in the closing stages as Reece Walsh completed another scintillating attack, exploiting a tired and visibly shot England defense for his second.

Final Score and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many did not see Daryl Clark’s consolation, which at least avoided England being held to nil. However, there are plenty of questions for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die match next weekend.

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

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