Wales' woes deepen and raise questions for the Six Nations

Wales suffered a heavy defeat to England in the Six Nations opener, with England leading 36-0 early in the second half and Henry Arundell scoring a hat-trick; the result extended Wales to 12 consecutive Six Nations losses and they face France next week.

Wales lost heavily to England in the Six Nations opener. England led 36-0 early in the second half, and Henry Arundell scored three tries. Wales conceded a series of penalties and yellow cards in the opening period. The result has extended a prolonged poor run for Wales and prompted wider discussion about their place in the tournament. Key facts: - England led 36-0 early in the second half and Henry Arundell scored three tries. - Wales conceded nine penalties and two yellow cards in the first quarter, with a 10th penalty early in the second. - This match marked Wales' 12th consecutive Six Nations defeat and Wales face France next week. Summary: The heavy defeat highlights a continuing slump for Wales and is prompting questions about competitive balance in the Six Nations. Wales' next scheduled fixture is against France in a week, and the team's longer-term recovery path is undetermined at this time.