Smith's men cane French as Pryce's try opens the floodgates

France 8pts England 56pts

This mid-summer international in Toulouse, so crucial to England's World Cup hopes later this year, went according to plan.

Hat-trick hero: Great Britain's Martin Gleeson

Even Catalans coach Mick Potter, who has made the Perpignan club a force in the engage Super League this season and nine of his players were in the home side, predicted that England would be too strong.

Yet France only scored the opening try and lived with England until the superior fitness, experience and quality of Tony Smith's men reduced them to rubble in the second half.

Seven of England's 10 tries came in that period and their coach was delighted. 'We made one blemish defensively early on but in every other respect it was a thoroughly professional and disciplined performance,' said Smith.

'For a team to come together the way they have in only four days in the middle of the season says a lot.

'Martin Gleeson's recent form for his club got him into the side and he was terrific. So was Leon Pryce, who has been outstanding all season for St Helens. And Kevin Sinfield's defence was enormous.

'France have improved. They have upped the ante and were very courageous. They were missing a few key players and some of the others aren't quite up to Super League standard. But they'll get stronger.'

The temperature in the Stade Ernest Wallon was almost 80 degrees, which was ideal in that England can expect it to be even hotter when they face Papua New Guinea in their opening World Cup group game in Queensland in October.

France scored first, scrum half James Wynne making a gap for himself with an excellent sidestep from Thomas Bosc's pass after eight minutes.

England were expecting a tough time early on and they got it, coming from behind to lead only 16-8 at the interval.

Pryce, preferred to stand off Danny McGuire, waltzed over after 17 minutes for England's first try in support of a break by James Roby, making his first start in an international.

And Pryce went on to be voted man of the match with a truly classy performance. Gleeson then gave England the lead and after Bosc had converted a penalty, prop Maurie Fa'asavalu thundered over for their third touchdown.

Debutant winger Peter Fox, denied a try by the video officials earlier, scored soon after the break and as Smith tried various halfback and dummy half alternatives, England took a firm hold.

Veteran centre Keith Senior, Gleeson twice more, Jon Wilkin, McGuire and Wellens piled up the points, with Rob Burrow and Sinfield kicking the goals.

FRANCE: Clayton ; Khattabi, Sadaoui, Raguin, Stacul; Bosc, Wynne; Elima, Rinaldi (capt), Fellous, Carrasco, Anselme , Mounis. Subs: Casty, Fakir, Sabatie, Duport.

ENGLAND: Wellens; Gardner, Gleeson, Senior, Fox; Pryce, Burrow; Morley, Roby, Peacock (capt), Ellis, Burgess, Sinfield. Subs: Graham, Fa'asavalu, Wilkin, McGuire.

Referee: Jason Robinson (Australia)..