England condemns sorry Wales to record 68-14 loss and stays in contention for Six Nations title
CARDIFF, Wales (AP) — England consigned ailing rival Wales to a 17th straight loss with a record 10-try 68-14 drubbing in the Six Nations that ensured the title will be decided in the final match of the tournament between France and Scotland on “Super Saturday.”
Ahead of kickoff in Paris, England was in first place on 19 points — one more than Ireland. France was four points behind England and will clinch the title with a win of any kind over the Scots.
“Maybe I’ll start singing ‘The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond,’” England captain Maro Itoje said — referring to a Scottish folk song — when asked what he’ll be doing during the France-Scotland game.
“What will be, will be. We did our job."
Indeed, trophy or no trophy, England exits the tournament on a high with four wins from five — including over France — and its status as a leading rugby power restored after some tough narrow losses for coach Steve Borthwick last year.
The thrashing in Cardiff began with a third-minute score for Itoje, one of five tries in the first half for the visitors as Tom Roebuck, Tommy Freeman, replacement Chandler Cunningham-South and Will Stuart also went over.
Freeman has scored a try in each game in this Six Nations edition, a first for an English player.
Tries by Alex Mitchell, replacements Henry Pollock (twice) and Joe Heyes, and then Cunningham-South again completed the rout and a record margin of victory by England over Wales. Pollock's tries came on his debut.
Wales had two tries, by center Ben Thomas, but this was another humiliating match for a proud rugby nation whose last win came way back in October 2023 and has picked up the wooden spoon — for finishing in last place — for the second straight season for the first time in the Five or Six Nations.
Seventeen straight defeats equals Scotland's run between 1951-55 and is only one behind France's losing streak from 1911-20.
The Welsh have lost all of their matches for two straight campaigns.
France has, by a distance, the best points difference of all teams in the tournament, at +106.
That means a regulation win, without a bonus point, would be enough for Les Tricolores to claim the title. It would leave them tied on points with England but with a superior points difference.
A bonus-point win would see France finish a point ahead of England.
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
Topics
-
'Wales players need support after record loss'
Interim head coach Matt Sherratt says Wales players need support following the record 68-14 hammering inflicted by England in the Six Nations finale in Cardiff.Yahoo Sports - 1h -
England put 10-try demolition job on Wales but France kill title dream
Wales 14-68 England Henry Pollock scores two debut tries in Cardiff thrashing England saved their best until last in this seesawing Six Nations season with a record 10-try demolition of a ...The Guardian - 4h -
Wales v England player ratings: Freeman shines at centre and Ben Curry outstanding in rout
England took the Six Nations title race to its final game after destroying Wales 68-14 in Cardiff.Yahoo Sports - 4h -
England score 10 tries to hammer Wales in Cardiff
Watch highlights as England score 10 tries to hammer Wales 68-14 in Cardiff and finish second in the Six Nations.BBC News - 3h -
Wales 14-68 England: Six Nations 2025 – live reaction
Principality Stadium hosts 4.45pm kick-off (GMT) Get in touch: mail your thoughts to Lee 5 mins. Wales possession in the England half has Mee brought into the attack in midfield but he’s a ...The Guardian - 4h -
France face win-or-bust Six Nations duel with Scotland after England rout Wales
France faced a win-or-bust Six Nations showdown against Scotland in Paris on Saturday after England routed sorry Wales to send the title battle down to the wire.France must now defeat Scotland in ...Yahoo Sports - 3h -
Ten-try England rout Wales but title bid falls short
England run in 10 tries to destroy woeful Wales in Cardiff, but see their hopes of Six Nations glory vanish as France beat Scotland to win the title.BBC News - 53m -
Wales v England, Six Nations 2025: What time is today’s kick-off and what TV channel is it on?
England play Wales at the Principality Stadium in their final game of the 2025 Six Nations Championship. Steve Borthwick’s team have an outside chance of winning the tournament.Yahoo Sports - 9h -
England miss out on U20 title after defeat by Wales
England miss out on the Under-20 Six Nations title - and a first Grand Slam since 2021- as they are beaten by Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.BBC News - 1d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
France overpower Scotland in Paris to deny England the Six Nations title
France did not quite hit the heights of their Dublin demolition last weekend, but Les Bleus did enough on a nervy night in Paris to clinch a second Six Nations title in four years – and kill off ...Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Long balls, pitching dominance help FSU finish sweep of BC in doubleheader
FSU dominated with a run-rule blowout and then a pitching gem to close out a sweep of Boston College Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 31m -
Athletic Club star left out of squad for Sevilla clash
A leading member of the defensive ranks at La Liga outfit Athletic Club has been left out of the club’s squad for their upcoming meeting with Sevilla.The player in question? Aitor Paredes.Ernesto ...Yahoo Sports - 31m -
Clayton scores 22 as No. 4 Florida beats No. 5 Alabama 104-82 in SEC semis
Yahoo Sports - 31m -
Florida Gators men's basketball advances to SEC Tournament title game with blowout of Bama
Things started off competitive, but the Florida Gators ran away with it in the second half of an SEC Tournament semifinal matchup against Alabama.Yahoo Sports - 31m
More in Sports
-
Injured Arkansas star Boogie Fland cleared to resume basketball activities, could return for NCAA Tournament
Fland, a potential first-round pick, has been out since mid-January with a hand injuryCBS Sports - 28m -
2025 NASCAR Las Vegas race this week predictions, odds: Model that hit 19 winners gives Pennzoil 400 picks
SportsLine simulated the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway 10,000 times. Use its projected leaderboard for NASCAR picks at sites like PrizePicks, DraftKings, and FanDuelCBS Sports - 29m -
France overpower Scotland in Paris to deny England the Six Nations title
France did not quite hit the heights of their Dublin demolition last weekend, but Les Bleus did enough on a nervy night in Paris to clinch a second Six Nations title in four years – and kill off ...Yahoo Sports - 29m -
Duke vs. Louisville prediction, odds, time: 2025 ACC Tournament championship picks from proven model
SportsLine's model simulated Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils in the 2025 ACC Tournament championship matchup on Saturday 10,000 times with Cooper Flagg (ankle) outCBS Sports - 30m -
Long balls, pitching dominance help FSU finish sweep of BC in doubleheader
FSU dominated with a run-rule blowout and then a pitching gem to close out a sweep of Boston College Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 31m