England coast past Wales

James Gordon

 

England set up a double-duel against France with a 80-12 thumping of Wales in Wrexham.

Wigan winger Josh Charnley crossed for a quartet of tries as Wales‘ involvement in the Autumn International Series came to an abrupt end.

The hosts held out for the first nine minutes, albeit after Kallum Watkins had a second minute try disallowed, until Ryan Hall exposed a narrow defence to touchdown on the left.

When Charnley and Leeds full back Zak Hardaker, making his international debut, went over for quickfire tries shortly after, the writing was well on the wall.

Watkins, also on debut, scored a try and Hardaker’s second put England 26-6 up at the interval, with the hosts getting on the scoresheet courtesy of Christian Roets on the hooter.

Hall, recently named as the best winger in the world, grabbed his second early in the second half, before Dan Fleming took advantage of some soft English defence to register Wales‘ second, and last, try.

After that, it was all one way traffic as Gareth Ellis, Rob Burrow, Leroy Cudjoe (2) and Jamie Jones-Buchanan all got on the scoresheet, with Kevin Sinfield notching 12 goals.

England now play France at Craven Park next Saturday (14.30), knowing that they will play the same opponents the following week in the series final at the Salford City Stadium (Saturday 11th, 17:00).