Perfect George Williams sets up England’s 11-try rout of France

New-look England, same outcome. England have not lost a Test against France since 1981 and it took barely half an hour in Warrington to realise that record would not be changing. Shaun Wane’s refreshed and re-energised side, featuring 13 debutants and on the start of a fresh road towards the next World Cup in three years’ time, were always going to be too strong for France.

That the game was settled so early is positive in terms of the depth England have. Led by a mercurial, near-perfect display from their new captain, George Williams, one of a handful of survivors from last year’s World Cup, they scored 11 tries. It was difficult to fully judge quite how impressive England were given the calibre of the opposition. France, unable to call on a number of high-profile players due to injury and withdrawals, were no match.

That is, in a nutshell, the problem with international rugby league. In the northern hemisphere, there is no side who can match an England side even with this little experience. The greater test will come in the autumn with the three-match series against Tonga. Only then will we find out what shape England are in when it comes to being ready for a tilt at the World Cup in 2025. But this, if nothing else, was a useful outing in terms of blooding young players.

The writing was on the wall after three minutes, when Ash Handley collected a wonderful kick from Williams. France briefly hit back but could not make their territory count and by half-time England had clicked through the gears to put the contest to bed. Harry Smith marked his Test debut with a try after Jake Wardle’s fine offload, before another Wigan youngster on debut, Ethan Havard, followed suit to make it 18-0. Wardle became the third Warriors