Head coach Shaun Wane named a matchday 17 containing 13 players making their England Test debuts in the mid-season international against France; Ash Handley and George Williams led the way with three tries each; France boss Laurent Frayssinous felt the result was a “reality check”
Last Updated: 29/04/23 8:11pm
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Highlights of the mid-season international Test match between England and France
Highlights of the mid-season international Test match between England and France
Shaun Wane insists England can only continue to improve after a side stacked with debutants thumped France 64-0 in a one-sided mid-season international in Warrington.
Captain George Williams was one of only three survivors from last year’s Rugby League World Cup squad to feature as Wane rang the changes, with one eye on this autumn’s much tougher three-test series against Tonga.
England coasted into a 36-0 interval lead, but Wane revealed he still demanded plenty of improvements against opponents who were thoroughly outclassed in every department and scarcely managed to muster any attacking intent.
“I was quite harsh on them defensively at half-time, because I had an eye on how we were going to play against Tonga, and the improvements in the second half were probably the most satisfying thing for me,” Wane said.
“We looked a lot stronger and what it said to me was that this is a really young team, with so many debutants, and with how well we’ve adapted it just shows how strong we are with World Cup players to come back.”
Williams and Ash Handley both helped themselves to hat-tricks, while Ethan Havard, Jake Wardle, Kai Pearce-Paul, Harry Smith and Danny Walker also crossed.
Smith added 18 points with the boot before Williams, who also produced the pivotal move in four of his side’s tries, kicked the last conversion to ensure the men’s result mirrored that of an equally one-sided women’s international earlier.
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England head coach Shaun Wane reflected on his team’s big win over France and how the Test debutants performed
“I was really happy,” Wane, who is already looking towards England’s autumn series against Tonga, said. “There were certain things I wanted them to work on and they’ve delivered. It was outstanding and those 13 debutants are a credit to their Super League clubs and their chairmen.
“My talk before the game was about Tonga and how we can put a stamp on our position, so credit to the RFL for getting that series on. It is something for us to look forward to and conversations with players and clubs will be easier because of that.
“How [George Williams] has spoken this week and how he’s developed as a leader, it’s great to see how he’s come on.”
Shell-shocked France boss Laurent Frayssinous called the result a “reality check” as he begins the daunting process of building a team capable of impressing when they host the next World Cup in 2025.
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George Williams gave greater insight into what it was like to captain England for the first time and their dominant performance against France
“It is a reality check about where we are – obviously the scoreboard is pretty tough and the dressing room is shattered, but it is where we are, and it is a learning curve for a few kids here,” Frayssinous said.
“We’ll take our medicine, and we’ll keep working and just make sure we handle the situation better next time. I was not expecting to lose by 60 – if I thought about it, I would have stayed at home.
“I thought we had the respect of England, and I don’t want England to judge us on that scoreboard, because next time we will be better, I guarantee.”