If this was an open audition for some of England’s fringe players to make an impression on Wayne Bennett before the World Cup quarter-final with Papua New Guinea next week, then the England coach was certainly given some food for thought as his side beat France 36-6. It is clear there is some way to go until England produce the complete 80-minute display that Bennett wants. But the number of changes he made in the second half here, with victory assured, will have surely played a part in the drop-off in performance. Like last week – when England were comfortably ahead at the break against Lebanon – there was an expectation that they would kick on. Defensively England were again resolute and the fact they did not concede throughout the second half is perhaps the real positive of the second half for Bennett as he looks to the knockouts stages.

Source: The Guardian November 12, 2017 12:45 UTC