Wales 14-68 England

Youngster Henry Pollock shines with two debut tries in Cardiff drubbing

ENGLAND delivered their most dominant performance of the Six Nations with a record-breaking 10-try demolition of Wales, securing a crushing 68-14 victory at the Principality Stadium. Cardiff had never witnessed a heavier Welsh defeat in the championship, as Steve Borthwick’s side dismantled their hosts with ruthless efficiency. The 20-year-old Northampton flanker Henry Pollock capped his debut with two eye-catching tries, as England signed off their campaign in emphatic fashion.

Any pre-match hopes of a close contest were quickly extinguished as England ran riot, storming to a 33-7 half-time lead. It was a masterclass in attacking precision, with glimpses of promise seen in recent games finally coalescing into England’s most assured and clinical display of the season.

Despite the thumping win, France’s victory elsewhere meant England’s title aspirations were extinguished. Nevertheless, the visitors’ fluid interplay, ferocious back-row dominance, and the commanding presence of fly-half Fin Smith were enough to underline their rapid progress since a frustrating autumn campaign.

The contrast in mood from the pre-match atmosphere to the final whistle was stark. The Welsh faithful had roared their side on with the usual fervour, but as England’s relentless onslaught continued, the noise in the stands faded to a hush. The defeat confirmed Wales’ 17th consecutive international loss and a second successive Six Nations wooden spoon, marking another low in a bruising period for Welsh rugby.

From the outset, England imposed themselves. Smith’s early penalty to the corner set the tone, and within minutes Maro Itoje powered over from close range for the opening try. The visitors doubled their lead when Fin Smith’s pinpoint looping pass found Tom Roebuck, who marked his first Test start with a clinical finish in the corner.

Wales thought they had responded when Blair Murray burst clear after a ricocheted high ball, but referee Nic Berry ruled out the try due to an offside infringement. The disallowed effort only compounded Welsh woes, as England quickly extended their lead.

Pollock made an instant impact on his debut, breaking through to claim his first Test try, before Will Stuart, celebrating his 50th cap, muscled over for England’s fifth before half-time.

Despite a brief Welsh resurgence – Ben Thomas crossing for a well-worked try – England continued their dominance. Tommy Freeman’s try ensured he became only the second player in Six Nations history to score in all five rounds of a single championship.

The visitors showed no mercy in the second half, with Alex Mitchell winning a kick-chase to touch down before Pollock grabbed his second. Replacement prop Joe Heyes added his name to the scoresheet, and Cunningham-South powered over to bring up England’s tenth try.

Pollock’s brace will be a moment he remembers for life, as England recorded their most emphatic win in Cardiff in the history of this fixture. While the title may have eluded them, Borthwick’s men leave the tournament as a resurgent force, with the signs pointing to even greater things ahead.

TODAY the Six Nations reaches its climax – it’s Super Saturday, Wales and England prepare for a clash in Cardiff that could have significant implications—both for England’s title hopes and for Wales’ battle to avoid the Wooden Spoon.

Match Details

• Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
• Date: Saturday, 15 March
• Kick-off: 16:45 GMT
• Coverage: Watch live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer; listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app.

England’s Title Aspirations

Steve Borthwick’s men remain in contention for their first Six Nations title since 2020, but their fate is not entirely in their own hands. Victory over Wales is essential, but they must also rely on Scotland to upset France in Paris—a scenario that, given Les Bleus’ dominance against Ireland, seems a tall order. Still, even if the title eludes them, England will be keen to finish strongly and avoid a slip-up against a struggling Welsh side.

England have faced criticism for their performances in the tournament, yet they have managed to put themselves in a position to challenge for silverware. Their forward dominance and defensive resilience have been key, but question marks remain over their attacking game. A convincing win in Cardiff would not only bolster their standings but also send a message ahead of future international campaigns.

Wales’ Fight to Avoid the Wooden Spoon

Wales find themselves in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable position. A 16-Test losing streak, including defeats to Ireland and Scotland in this tournament, has left them rooted to the bottom of the table. While performances have improved under interim attack coach Matt Sherratt, Wales have yet to turn competitiveness into results.

There have been glimpses of promise, particularly in the fightback against Scotland, where Wales came close to pulling off an unlikely comeback. However, their inability to sustain pressure for the full 80 minutes remains a concern. A victory over England would be a morale-boosting triumph and a statement that Welsh rugby is on the path to recovery.

Team News

Wales: Sherratt has made two changes, with Joe Roberts making his professional debut on the wing in place of the injured Tom Rogers, while Aaron Wainwright replaces Tommy Reffell in the back row.

• Starting XV: Murray; Roberts, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Mee; Anscombe, T Williams; N Smith, Dee, John; Rowlands, Jenkins; Wainwright, Morgan (capt), Faletau.
• Replacements: D Lake, G Thomas, K Assiratti, T Williams, Reffell, R Williams, J Evans, Tompkins.

England: Borthwick has made multiple changes, including Marcus Smith’s return at full-back and Tommy Freeman’s shift to centre. Ben Curry starts in the back row, and Luke Cowan-Dickie takes over at hooker.

• Starting XV: Smith; Roebuck, Freeman, Dingwall, Daly; F Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart; Itoje (capt), Chessum; T Curry, B Curry, Earl.
• Replacements: George, Baxter, Heyes, Cunningham-South, Pollock, Willis, Van Poortvliet, Ford.

Where the Game Will Be Won

England’s defensive structure will be tested by Wales’ improved attacking shape, with the hosts looking to move the ball quickly and expose weaknesses. The selection of Tommy Freeman at outside centre for England is a bold call, and Wales will likely target him defensively.

The visitors’ back row—featuring Ben Earl and the Curry twins—will be instrumental in slowing Welsh ball at the breakdown. Meanwhile, England’s set-piece superiority could give them a crucial platform, particularly at scrum time, where Wales have struggled.

For Wales, the return of Taulupe Faletau and the inclusion of Aaron Wainwright in the back row could provide the dynamism needed to challenge England’s forwards. However, they must find a way to generate front-foot ball, as their lack of dominant ball carriers has hindered their ability to break down defences.

Key Battles to Watch

One of the standout head-to-head contests will be between number eights Faletau and Earl. Faletau reminded everyone of his class against Scotland, and his ability to carry, tackle, and influence the breakdown will be crucial for Wales. Earl, meanwhile, has been one of England’s most consistent performers over the past two years, and another standout display could cement his place in the British and Irish Lions conversation.

Elsewhere, the duel between Wales’ Gareth Anscombe and England’s George Ford at fly-half will be pivotal in dictating the tempo. Both are experienced playmakers capable of controlling a game with their kicking and tactical awareness. The aerial battle will also be a major factor, with England likely to test Wales’ back three under the high ball.

Match Facts

• England have won nine of the last 11 Six Nations meetings between these sides, including the last three in a row.
• Wales have lost 10 straight matches in the Six Nations.
• Saturday marks 525 days since Wales’ last victory, against Georgia at the Rugby World Cup in October 2023.
• England have the highest dominant carry (39%), tackle evasion (27%), and gainline success (65%) rates in this Six Nations.
• Maro Itoje is just two turnovers away from surpassing Brian O’Driscoll’s all-time Six Nations record of 53 turnovers won.
• Tommy Freeman could become only the second player after France’s Philippe Bernat-Salles (2001) to score in all five rounds of a single Six Nations.

Prediction

Despite Wales’ improvements, England’s superior set-piece, defensive organisation, and breakdown work give them the edge. While the Principality Stadium crowd will be in full voice, Borthwick’s side should have enough to secure victory—though it may not be the free-flowing performance England fans crave.

Final score prediction: England by 10.

THE SIX NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP will remain on free-to-air television in the UK until at least 2029 following a landmark new agreement between the BBC and ITV. The deal, announced today, ensures that rugby fans across the country can continue watching the prestigious tournament without needing a subscription service.

The agreement follows months of speculation that the tournament could move behind a paywall, with TNT Sports expressing interest in bidding for the rights. The BBC and ITV’s renewed partnership secures accessibility for the competition for the next four years, preserving the tradition of free-to-air coverage.

NEW BROADCASTING AGREEMENT

Under the new agreement, which runs from 2026 to 2029:

ITV will broadcast ten live matches each season, including all of England’s fixtures. These will be available across ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, with highlights and exclusive content shared via ITV Sport’s digital platforms.

BBC will air five live matches each season, covering Wales, Scotland, and Ireland’s home games. The broadcaster will also retain audio commentary rights for all Six Nations matches on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio, and online platforms.

BBC will continue to be the exclusive home of the Women’s Six Nations and U20 Six Nations.

REACTIONS FROM BROADCASTERS AND RUGBY OFFICIALS

The new agreement has been widely welcomed, with key figures from the BBC, ITV, and Six Nations Rugby celebrating the deal as a significant victory for fans and the sport’s growth.

BBC Cymru Wales Director Rhuanedd Richards described the news as “wonderful” for Welsh rugby supporters:

“I have always been a passionate advocate for keeping the Six Nations on free-to-air television, and I’m so pleased that the BBC, working with ITV, has ensured this can continue for the next four years. The viewing figures speak for themselves—hundreds of thousands tune in to watch these incredible tournaments, and we look forward to bringing the very best coverage to Welsh audiences.”

ITV Director of Sport Niall Sloane highlighted the importance of keeping the tournament accessible:

“This is a monumental deal for rugby fans and ITV, ensuring the Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championship stays on free-to-air television. We are proud to be the home of all England matches for the duration of the deal, including England’s much-revered clashes with Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The tournament is always one of the sporting highlights of the year.”

BBC Sport Director Alex Kay-Jelski added: “This deal is fantastic news for rugby and the BBC, keeping the sport accessible for as many people as possible. We are proud to bring the biggest sporting moments to our audiences, and this new deal is the perfect news ahead of our exclusive coverage of the Women’s Rugby World Cup this summer.”

First Minister Eluned Morgan said: “This is great news for rugby fans across Wales and the future of the game here in general. 

“We have consistently advocated that the Six Nations should remain free-to-air so the majority of the Welsh population are able to enjoy and be inspired by this special tournament. 

“There’s no question that rugby, and the Six Nations, are of significant cultural importance to Wales and we hope to see today’s good rugby news extend into the weekend and the Super Saturday match against England!”

WHY THIS DEAL MATTERS

The announcement comes amid growing concerns about the financial state of Welsh rugby and the accessibility of the sport to future generations. The deal ensures that audiences across the UK will continue to watch Six Nations rugby for free, protecting one of the sport’s most valuable showcases.

Recent pressure from politicians, including a campaign by the Liberal Democrats, had called for the Six Nations to be added to the UK’s “Category A” list of sporting events that must remain on free-to-air television. While the tournament is not yet protected by this status, the new agreement safeguards its availability for the next four years.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, emphasised the significance of the deal: “The significance of these new and innovative free-to-air partnerships for the Six Nations cannot be overstated. By strengthening rugby’s relationships with ITV and BBC, the sport can continue to give as many fans as possible access to enjoy live coverage of the Six Nations.”

“The commercial environment in which rugby is operating is extremely challenging, and the battle for audience attention has never been greater. But the Six Nations stands alongside the very greatest occasions in world sport, which is reflected by these partnerships.”

FUTURE OF RUGBY BROADCASTING

The deal also reaffirms the BBC and ITV’s commitment to rugby at a time when more sports are shifting toward pay-per-view models.

ITV’s sports rights portfolio includes other major events such as the Men’s FIFA World Cup 2026, Men’s Euros 2028, The FA Cup, and the Carabao Cup.

BBC Sport’s portfolio includes the Olympic Games, Women’s Euros 2025, Women’s Super League, Wimbledon, and the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

The decision to keep the Six Nations free-to-air reflects the tournament’s significance to UK sports culture. The competition regularly attracts millions of viewers, and its continued accessibility ensures that rugby remains at the heart of the sporting calendar for fans across all backgrounds.

For now, supporters can breathe a sigh of relief—Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, and Italy will continue battling for Six Nations glory live on BBC and ITV, without the need for a subscription.