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 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.
