Britain start new era with Burrow bonus

Burrow was overlooked by the previous boss, Brian Noble, in favour of Sean Long and Richard Horne but Super League's smallest player proved his worth along with other untried stars keen to impress the new man in charge.

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France claimed their last victory over Great Britain at the same venue in April 1990 with a shock 25-18 triumph. But Britain have since registered eight successive wins and they were not in any real danger of missing out on a ninth once their superior strength and fitness began to tell after a spirited opening from the visitors.

France had led 10-4 midway through the first half, but superb displays from loose-forward rivals Jon Wilkin and Kevin Sinfield — who claimed the man of the match title and kicked five successful conversions — helped steer Britain to an ultimately convincing victory.

Proud Smith said: 'There were some really good performances. It's tough when you lose one of your halfbacks but we were very, very encouraging in many respects.

"I'm in awe of the skill within the team. Jon Wilkin was very, very good and Kevin Sinfield played his role well, too."

Noble had failed to reach the last two Tri Nations finals in a string of results that prompted the RFL to seek a full-time national coach.

Smith will leave Leeds at the end of this season to concentrate on his national duties but his first match in charge left him with plenty of options ahead of the autumn's Test series against New Zealand.

Smith handed debuts to five players while four others made their first starting appearance for the Lions in a fresh-faced line-up designed to build towards next year's World Cup in Australia.

With seasoned internationals such as Stuart Fielden, Jamie Peacock and Keith Senior all rested, Smith had promised a side full of enthusiasm and energy.

Coupled with the appointment of firebrand Adrian Morley as captain, the Lions were always likely to play with plenty of passion, but it was the French who made the better start.

Winger Constant Villegas was denied by a desperate block in the corner before Maxime Greseque's kick forced David Hodgson into making a dramatic tackle on Sebastien Planas to prevent the French taking a shock lead.

Those early scares woke the hosts and they quickly hit back. Wilkin looked to have carved open a huge hole for Gareth Ellis to exploit, only for referee Steve Ganson to haul play back for a forward pass.

Wilkin's error was to prove only a temporary reprieve, with Ade Gardne's 40-metre surge being supported by winger Hodgson and finished off by stand-off Danny McGuire just two minutes later.

But the French refused to lie down and, spurred on by Greseque's inventiveness, they continued to threaten. It was only appropriate that Greseque, the former Featherstone stand-off, scored the two tries that took them into the lead. His delicate chip and chase put Britain on the back foot and two tackles later he crashed over after twice collecting the loose ball.

Then he sniffed out another chance when Catalans' forward Cyril Gossard pounced on Morley's mistake near to the Lions' line. In between Greseque's double, Britain's efforts had been further hampered when McGuire limped off, forcing Smith to opt for Leeds skipper Kevin Sinfield in the pivotal stand-off role after selecting four forwards on his subs' bench.

The Headingley crowd were brought back to life when former Leeds hero Morley produced a wonderful pass to current hero Burrow to level the scores.

Greseque missed two drop goal attempts as France signalled their intent to match the British for 80 minutes, but they were dealt a cruel blow when Sinfield and fellow sub James Graham combined to send Bradford's Jamie Langley crashing through. Langley's try proved a sucker-punch for the French and they failed to recover.

James Roby, Sinfield and Burrow spread the ball to allow Stephen Wild to cross unchallenged on the left flank four minutes into the second half, and three more quick tries made sure the game was over.

Wilkin and Sinfield crafted space for Morley's charge to mark his first game as captain with a memorable score before Burrow grabbed his second after Wilkin's searing break and Harlequins' centre Paul Sykes celebrated his Lions' debut with a try after Sinfield's towering bomb.

Roby touched down in the final quarter, leaving Eric Anselme's effort as scant French consolation.