CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — England consigned ailing rival Wales to a seventeenth straight loss with a file 10-try 68-14 drubbing within the Six Nations that ensured the title shall be determined within the last match of the event between France and Scotland on “Tremendous Saturday.”
Forward of kickoff in Paris, England was in first place on 19 factors — yet one more than Eire. France was 4 factors behind England and can clinch the title with a win of any type over the Scots.
“Possibly I’ll begin singing ‘The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond,’” England captain Maro Itoje mentioned — referring to a Scottish folks music — when requested what he’ll be doing in the course of the France-Scotland sport.
“What shall be, shall be. We did our job.”
Certainly, trophy or no trophy, England exits the event on a excessive with 4 wins from 5 — together with over France — and its standing as a number one rugby energy restored after some robust slender losses for coach Steve Borthwick final yr.
The beating in Cardiff started with a third-minute rating for Itoje, one among 5 tries within the first half for the guests as Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, alternative Chandler Cunningham-South and Will Stuart additionally went over.
Freeman has scored a attempt in every sport on this Six Nations version, a primary for an English participant.
Tries by Alex Mitchell, replacements Henry Pollock (twice) and Joe Heyes, after which Cunningham-South once more accomplished the rout and a file margin of victory by England over Wales. Pollock’s tries got here on his debut.
Wales had two tries, by heart Ben Thomas, however this was one other humiliating match for a proud rugby nation whose final win got here means again in October 2023 and has picked up the picket spoon — for ending in final place — for the second straight season for the primary time within the 5 or Six Nations.
Seventeen straight defeats equals Scotland’s run between 1951-55 and is just one behind France’s shedding streak from 1911-20.
The Welsh have misplaced all of their matches for 2 straight campaigns.
France has, by a distance, the most effective factors distinction of all groups within the event, at +106.
Meaning a regulation win, with no bonus level, could be sufficient for Les Tricolores to say the title. It could depart them tied on factors with England however with a superior factors distinction.
A bonus-point win would see France end some extent forward of England.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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