Six Nations rugby: England tame beleaguered Wales by 20-10

England players celebrate a try scored by Maro Itoje. Photo / AP

England piled on the misery for Wales with a 20-10 victory that left the beleaguered hosts nursing a third straight loss to open the Six Nations.

The Welsh haven’t made this bad a start to the Six Nations in 20 years and it continues a tempestuous campaign for the proud rugby nation, after a pre-Six Nations racism and bullying scandal and a contract dispute which has dominated the buildup this week.

A match between teams well off the title pace never really caught fire in front of the Prince and Princess of Wales, with England always having the measure of a game but limited Wales side at Principality Stadium.

Anthony Watson — on his first England start for two years — went over for the only try of the first half, and prop Kyle Sinckler and center Ollie Lawrence added more after halftime.

Wales’ sole try came from an intercept on halfway, with winger Louis Rees-Zammit motoring clear for the score. Warren Gatland’s team was in touching distance of the visitors only because of a rare bad day off the kicking tee by England captain Owen Farrell. He had just two successful kicks from six.

For England coach Steve Borthwick, it’s two wins from three to start his tenure as his team continued to rely on big defence, a solid kick-and-chase game and a strong set-piece — the country’s traditional strengths. France at home and Ireland away makes for the toughest possible finish to the Six Nations for the English, however.

Wales, meanwhile, will simply look to avoid a first wooden spoon for last place since 2003 when Gatland’s fellow New Zealander, Steve Hansen, was at the helm.

That could be determined in Round 4 when Wales travels to Rome to play Italy, which has also opened with three straight losses.