Perfect start for England that will have Australia quaking in their boots

It was a 10 out of 10 performance from England against Samoa to kick off the World Cup.

England produced the stellar display of the first weekend, the perfect way to start their campaign. Bookies don’t get much wrong but they did this time. The hosts went into the game as underdogs but they ripped that theory apart.

I really don’t think it’s possible to play better, England were faultless in the game. Everyone is going to be looking at them now. I think they’ve got the others scared.

It was a message sent out from coach Shaun Wane and the players to everyone in the tournament, including the Australian public and the Australian players. I believe England have got the Aussies on the rack – the holders will be feeling a bit vulnerable.

I said on Saturday the scoreline of 60-6 added up to 66, the year England’s footballers won the World Cup. People said to me on Twitter, you’re getting carried away Martin. But I like to get carried away sometimes.

I talked in my column last week about how England needed to ‘hit the beach’. In fact, I sent Shaun a little message and mentioned it to him. The players did exactly that. They ran hard. Even George Williams, probably the smallest player on the pitch, ran through two Samoan giants and set up the opening try.

So many players were outstanding. Tommy Makinson was exactly how I expected him to be. It was great to see the way he ran throughout the game and the way he beat tackles out wide.

I thought Dom Young was superb, his first try was amazing. I think Shaun got his selection spot on. It was a big call leaving out Ryan Hall with all his experience but I think it was the right one.

Kallum Watkins looked back to his best. He looked like the player people thought he was going to be in his youth