England have a 'signature performance' in their locker – Earl
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England turned in parts of a "signature performance" in their Six Nations win over Wales, even if Ben Earl felt the scoreline somewhat flattered them.
Steve Borthwick's team started their Six Nations campaign with a 47-8 victory over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday.
Henry Arundell scored a first-half hat-trick, with Earl also going over before the break. Tom Roebuck and Tommy Freeman crossed after the interval, while Wales also gave up a penalty try.
England have not lost since going down to Ireland in the opening round of last year's Six Nations. They are on their longest winning run since a streak of 18 straight victories between 2015 and 2017.
Earl told S4C: "We thought if we put our best stuff out there, the result would take care of itself.
"I think the scoreline flattered us. In the second half, I thought Wales were a lot better and they played the game they wanted to play.
"We were very good in the first half, and it meant the result was taken care of with half an hour to play.
"I think we're starting to see an England team that has a signature performance, has an identity, and for the most part we saw that today."
How the table looks after the opening round of #GuinnessM6N action 😎🏆#Since1883 pic.twitter.com/EO2qVTRlZg
— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 7, 2026
England head to Edinburgh to take on Scotland next week.
Scotland were on the end of a shock 18-15 defeat to Italy in their opening game.
"I don't think we've won at Murrayfield since 2020, they're a bit of a bogey team," Earl said of facing Scotland.
"Last year against Scotland it came down to last kick of the game, but I feel like we've improved since then, but they're a good team and will be firing if they lost today. I'm looking forward to it."
Arundell, meanwhile, celebrated his second England hat-trick.
"They were tap-ins, but a hat-trick is a hat-trick," he told ITV Sport.
"I'm happy, a win to start off is great for the campaign. There's a bit of frustration we left points out there. It's exciting, if we want to be the best team in the world we've got to have high expectations
"You've got to have that hunger in you if you want to be a winger. There's a bit of ego in you to want to get those tries.
"There's stuff in my game I'm still trying to work on, especially my defensive side. It's good, you want to be an all-round player if you want to be the best team in the world."
