Wales swept aside 47-13

World champions England scored six tries to crush European champions Wales 47-13 in their opening Six Nations game at Twickenham yesterday.

England led 15-10 at the break with tries from Mark Cueto and Lewis Moody but took total control in the second half with further scores for Mike Tindall, Lawrence Dallaglio, on his international return, Matt Dawson and Tom Voyce.

Wales, shorn of half a dozen of the players who helped them to the grand slam last season, were always chasing the game and were starved of possession in the second half.

England's performance was full of confidence, forward control and intelligent running, a far cry from last year's Cardiff fixture that Wales took 11-9.

They opened the scoring after 14 minutes when Jamie Noon and Tindall, much criticised ahead of the game for their lack of creativity, combined from a lineout and fed Cueto. The winger showed his customary acceleration over the first five metres to make space for his 10th try in his 12th international.

The score settled England and their confidence was evident as twice flyhalf Charlie Hodgson, who contributed 13 points, kicked for touch when awarded close-range penalties.

The tactic paid off handsomely on the half-hour when another solid lineout set up the pack to surge over en masse, Moody coming up with the ball.

It was a sweet moment for the Leicester openside, who became the first England player to be sent off at Twickenham after a punch up in the match against Samoa in November and had played only 39 minutes of rugby since then because of his suspension.

England's joy was short-lived, however, as Wales hit back within four minutes.

Scrumhalf Dwayne Peel spotted a huge gap in England's defence at a lineout and charged through, slipping the ball to flanker Martyn Williams to complete the score which made it 15-10 at halftime.

A penalty apiece maintained the five-point gap 10 minutes into the second half but Wales were looking dangerous as they stayed true to their attacking beliefs and kept the ball moving at every opportunity.

England stretched that lead to eight with another Hodgson penalty while Williams was in the sin bin and then opened a match-winning lead with their third try after 63 minutes. Again Noon was the man making ground and the move was finished off by Tindall.

Dallaglio return

Dallaglio, who retired from the international game in August 2004, entered the fray on a permanent basis after 64 minutes, his presence enough to rouse the home fans into their first rendition of "Sweet Chariot."

It took the former captain just six minutes to make his mark when he peeled off a ruck to charge over.

Wales had been starved of possession for 20 minutes and were caught out again four minutes later when replacement scrumhalf Matt Dawson stole the ball at a scrum to scramble over.

Replacement fullback Voyce completed the win when he broke clear to score in injury time.

Ireland beat Italy 26-16 in the tournament's opening match in Dublin earlier yesterday.

Scotland are at home to France today.