Shaun Wane has demanded that England strive for perfection as his side made it two World Cup wins from two by battling past France in Bolton.
Winger Dom Young starred again with two more tries as England overcame a stubborn French side 42-18 to maintain their 100% start to the tournament.
With just Greece to come at Bramall Lane, England are overwhelming favourites to top the group, but Wane admits he is frustrated as he continues to insist upon improvement.
READ MORE:
“I don’t want to talk the French down but I just thought there were a couple of areas we could get better and I reminded the players of that,” said Wane, who was visibly animated in a half-time dressing down of his side.
“We can defend better no question. We went away from what we do really well and they came back at us, so it will be an easy review and one I’m looking forward to.”
A record home crowd for an England v France game of 23, 648 watched the hosts dominate in spells at The University of Bolton Stadium, with the occasional defensive laps capitalised on by France.
Wane had made clear he expected to see a big improvement on the performance seven days ago, despite a stunning 60-6 opening win over much-fancied Samoa.
So did he see the upturn in form that he had asked for in this victory over France?
“In patches, I thought our good parts were absolutely outstanding,” Wane told The Sportsman.
“I just want them for longer and so do the players. Sam (Tomkins) said in the changing room that we can and will improve and that’s a real positive for English fans. That is why I’m frustrated, as I know that we can do a lot better.”
England saw Kallum Watkins leave the field after being knocked out with a head injury, and Wane has confirmed the Salford centre will now be sidelined for the rest of the group stage at least.
“Kallum is good. He is a lot better now, he had a head clash and was out for a while, but he will be good in a few weeks.
“He’s a tough character. I thought it was a bit dramatic bringing a stretcher on though, I thought a helicopter was coming!
“We can put Jack Welsby at centre, or Batty (John Bateman), we have lots of good options. We have a really good spirit and the players I’ve left out, the way they have behaved has been fantastic. So we lose Kallum but someone else will come in and do a really good job and that’s the ‘big team, little me’ attitude.
😅 @SamTomkins1
🏴 #EnglandRL
“I’m loving this experience with this group. It is intense and I’m striving for improvement and perfection.
“I’m a proud Englishman and to hear the crowd chanting, the players do hear it and it is fantastic. I want it to be even more intense and louder. Let’s make it a real cauldron and that is what England fans are doing. Let’s make it special.”
Laurent Frayssinous meanwhile felt the scoreboard didn’t reflect the game, adding that his objective was for France to go out and challenge England and he felt they did that.
But the France coach still saw enough from England’s star men to convince him they can win the World Cup.
“I’m a big fan of Victor Radley because he is tough and can create space on his own. He knows what to do and when to do it. We watched videos on Victor before the game so we know what he can do.
“Then there’s Dom Young who is so fast and so big.
“England can go all the way. Their back five could be the best in the comp. Their spine is experience plus quality, they have a massive pack of forwards and I’m sure they will challenge Australia and New Zealand and on their day they can beat them.
“They can definitely win the World Cup.”
England complete their group games with a clash against Greece in Sheffield next Saturday.
*18+ | Be Gamble Aware
