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England's attacking frailties were exposed and punished by a ruthless Australia as the tourists swept to a worryingly straightforward win in the opening Test of the rugby league Ashes series.

The England coach'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 United Kingdom of more than 60,000.

Brilliant Display from Reece Walsh

Led by an outstanding display in attack and defence from club star Reece Walsh, Australia were deserving and convincing winners in the opening Test of the three-game contest, meaning the hosts must win at Goodison Park next weekend to keep alive their hopes of a first Ashes win since 1970.

England will have to be significantly improved with the ball if they are to achieve that. On multiple occasions in the first half, the hosts found themselves in advantageous situations but they were unable to cross for any tries. That was in large measure thanks to Walsh, who executed two superb interceptions.

Key Moments of the Game

The first occurred as Herbie Farnworth seemed destined to put Dom Young in for what would have been the first score, then Walsh denied Mikey Lewis as the break approached. By then, the Australians had gone ahead as Reece Walsh himself finished a wonderful move.

Nathan Cleary converted before adding a two-pointer on the brink of the interval to establish a two-score lead. It was a significant point, as was the try for Crichton shortly after the restart which made it fourteen to nil in favor of the visitors. The hosts now had to cross the line thrice and that seemed to halt their momentum.

If there were any doubt about the victors, they were decisively settled with a quarter-hour to go. Cameron Munster’s line break was supported by Angus Crichton, who pushed past Welsby for the Kangaroos' third score.

That made it 20-0 and there was added disappointment in the closing stages as Walsh completed another scintillating move, taking advantage of a weary and visibly shot English defensive line for his second.

Match Result and Looking Ahead

By then, home fans had begun to filter out and many missed Daryl Clark’s late try, which at least prevented England finishing scoreless. Nonetheless, there are many issues for the coach to address going into what is now a must-win match next Saturday.

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

• Visitors: Starting lineup.
• Bench: Reserves.
• Tries: Walsh 2, Crichton 2.
• Goals: Nathan Cleary (five).