England ran in five tries to nil in their biggest victory in Cardiff, and it could have been even more embarrassing if goal-kicker Alex King had slotted more than five out 11 attempts at goal.
‘We simply made too many turnovers,’ Wales coach Steve Hansen said. ‘You can’t give that much ball away and also suffer a 21-6 penalty count against you and expect to win.
‘We’ll go away and learn from this, but it just shows what we’ve been saying all along. We have a basic lack of skills, a lack of confidence and a lack of mental hardness compared to the world’s big teams.’
The England backrow of Martin Corry, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley ran riot all day on the back of powerful demolition job by their front five. England scrum-half Andy Gomarsall ran the ball at will and the new centre pairing of South African-born Stuart Abbott and Jamie Noon were dangerous on attack.
For the home side, flanker Martyn Williams played himself to a standstill and winger Mark Jones made the most of limited opportunities.
A 10th-minute Stephen Jones penalty goal put Wales in the lead, but it lasted barely four minutes. King converted two simple goals from in front.
Moody opened the try-scoring when he was pushed over from a close-range lineout, and King converted from the sideline.
Jones narrowed the margin in the 27th minute with his second penalty goal, but it soon became clear that three-pointers weren’t going to be enough for the home side.
King kicked a dropped goal but Jones’ third penalty goal kept the home side in the match at 9-16 at the break.
England winger Dan Luger stretched out to score near the posts midway through the second half and King’s conversion took the score to 23-9 and it was game over.
King added a penalty goal and England began to cut loose. Big No 8 Worsley, who had enjoyed almost a free rein all day, scored off the back of a 5m scrum, and debutant centre Abbott burrowed over to take the score to an embarrassing 36-9.
Wales fans began drifting out, but they only missed the visitors’ fifth try to replacement hooker Dorian West to give England their biggest ever win in Cardiff.
Wales: Pens – S Jones 3.
England: Tries – L Moody, D Luger, J Worsley, S Abbott, D West; Pens – A King 3; Cons – A King 2, D Walder; DG – A King.
Halftime: England 16-9.
Wales: R Williams; M Jones, M Taylor, S Parker, G Thomas; S Jones (capt), G Cooper; I Thomas, R McBryde (G Williams 57), G Jenkins (A Jones 70), R Sidoli, C Wyatt, C Charvis, M Williams, D Jones (G Thomas 70).
England: D Scarbrough; J Simpson-Daniel, J Noon, S Abbott, D Luger (O Smith 55); A King (D Walder 70), A Gomarsall; J Leonard (capt), M Regan (D West 37), J White, D Grewcock, S Shaw (S Borthwick 12-16), M Corry, L Moody (A Sanderson 59), J Worsley.
Referee: Pablo DeLuca (Argentina)
