England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup preparations remained firmly on track on Saturday after a commanding 43-9 triumph over Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Clive Woodward’s men have now racked up a record breaking 14 wins on the bounce, last losing to France in 2002, to give the England boss a massive boost as his side looks ahead to the world cup as favourites in October.  

“I am very satisfied with the win after what has been a great week for everyone involved in the set-up,” said Woodward. “For the players to perform that well in this heat is fantastic.

“Contrary to reports, this was not an England second string side and I would be happy to put that forward pack up against any side in the world.

“In the first half we created chances, but we didn’t always have the support there after. It was an angry changing room at half-time, but captain Jason Leonard got the team right behind him. He captained the side extraordinarily well.”

Woodward’s men blasted out of the blocks from the first whistle and dominated the game until the dying seconds, running in a massive five tries.

It was however Wales’ Stephen Jones who registered the first points of the afternoon with an 11^th minute penalty, but Jones’ opposite number, fly-half Alex King, soon put England on the scoreboard with two penalties before Leicester flanker Lewis Moody, returning from a six-month injury lay-off, crashed over the tryline assisted by skipper Leonard for the only try of the first half. King converted.

Jones clawed back two further penalties for the home side before the break but with King adding a conversion, Wales were left playing catch-up at half time.

Three missed penalties by King after the restart failed to put England off their stride with Dan Luger touching down for his 22^nd career test try after 54 minutes. King this time made no mistake with the conversion and then went on to boot a penalty, handing England a comfortable 26-9 lead.

Then it was the turn of number eight Joe Worsley to muscle his way over the tryline. The powerhouse forward caught Wales out on the short-side after picking the ball up from the back of the scrum and darting over the tryline.

Stuart Abbott, making his England debut, then put the game firmly out of Wales’ reach after neatly finishing off some impressive work from the forwards in the last ten minutes of full-time.

England’s final try came courtesy of hooker Dorian West who replaced Mark Regan in the first half with Newcastle’s Dave Walder booting the conversion to hand England a convincing 43-9 Investec Challenge match win.

“I have learnt a lot more from this game which is so important because I have got to make sure I pick the right 30 players on September 8,” added Woodward.

“I am very pleased with the whole operation and I am now looking forward to the team taking on France next week in Marseilles, a team who will be in a different league to Wales.”