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England's offensive weaknesses were exposed and punished by a clinical Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward victory in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

Shaun Wane’s team had spoken effusively about their drive going into the opening series for 22 years, and they were definitely full of endeavour at the famous stadium. Yet, in the crucial moments, it was the reigning title holders who showed more composure in front of a record attendance for an series match in the United Kingdom of over sixty thousand spectators.

Brilliant Performance from Reece Walsh

Guided by an exceptional showing in attack and defence from club star Walsh, the Kangaroos were worthy and comfortable victors in the opening Test of the three-match series, meaning England must win at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium next Saturday to sustain their aspirations of a first Ashes win since the 1970s.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the opening period, the home team found themselves in advantageous situations but they were failed to score for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Reece Walsh, who pulled off two wonderful turnovers.

Key Moments of the Match

The initial came as Farnworth seemed destined to put Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh stopped Mikey Lewis as the break neared. By then, the Australians had taken the lead as Walsh himself finished a excellent move.

Cleary added the extras before adding a penalty on the stroke of half-time to establish a two-score lead. It was a pivotal moment, as was the score for Angus Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favour of the visitors. England now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to stifle their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the winners, they were firmly put to bed with 15 minutes to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was backed up by Angus Crichton, who broke through Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh finished another breathtaking attack, taking advantage of a tired and visibly shot England defensive line for his second try.

Match Result and Outlook

By then, local supporters had begun to leave early and many missed Clark's late try, which at least prevented the home side finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for Wane to answer going into what is now a do-or-die Test next weekend.

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

• Australia: Starting lineup.
• Interchange: Dearden, Collins, Cotter, Koloamatangi.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Cleary 5.