Smith targets improvement

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Trailing 12-4 at half-time, England rallied to score 30 points without reply in the second half to get their campaign under way with an unimpressive 34-12 victory over a lively France at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium.

"We were a long way off where we'd like to be and where we're going to be, hopefully," acknowledged Smith.

"This group of players have had three training sessions together as a team and to get cohesion and an A1 performance together after three days is pretty tough."

It was reminiscent of the way England limped into the World Cup 12 months earlier with a 32-22 victory over brave Papua New Guinea, the supposed makeweights of the group who had led at half-time.

England followed that hollow win with a 52-4 rout by Australia and they need a dramatic improvement on last night's showing if they are to avoid another humiliation at the hands of the Kangaroos in Wigan next Saturday.

"I wasn't too bothered about the first half. We weren't terrific but I just thought we lacked a little composure," he added.

"I think my players were a bit excited about playing. I think they wanted to go out there and show everyone how good they were in the first 40 minutes.

"In the second half we did show that composure, so I'm pleased we can learn quickly and we'll need to."