Hall wings in for four tries as England overpower France
England 48 France 4
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Your support makes all the difference.Ryan Hall, the only British-based player rated highly enough in Australia to be in their World Team of the Year, underlined his quality with four tries as England won the Autumn International Series with plenty to spare.
The finishing of the Leeds winger (pictured) summed up a clinical English display which ensured that the French were overpowered.
England effectively had the game won with three well-worked tries in the first half. Rangi Chase was brought back for his first game since September and his first international for a year. Despite some obvious ring-rust, he was at the heart of the first try, bringing Sam Tomkins into the attacking line for Hall to score on the overlap.
France, already heavily beaten by England eight days previously, did not fold immediately. In fact, they enjoyed a period of pressure after a Chase pass went to ground, but the English defence looked well organised. They also looked likely to cause problems every time Tomkins chimed into the line. When he took Kevin Sinfield's pass in the 25th minute he sold a dummy and scored himself.
Sean O'Loughlin's long, looping pass to Hall created the third and the French cause was not helped by the way that Sinfield put over three difficult conversions. Josh Charnley got in on the act early in the second half, before Hall completed his hat-trick from a fine pass delivered by Chase.
Tomkins took his England tally to 16, again running off the influential Sinfield, who continued to kick faultlessly.
As in their first game, England were guilty of conceding some soft penalties when well on top, but they made up for that when Chase and Tomkins went the length of the field to set up Hall for his fourth.
Rob Burrow continued the romp, with Sinfield finishing with eight goals from eight attempts, and Matthias Pala claimed the hollowest of consolations in the last minute.
England's Steve McNamara admitted a slight regret at failing to complete a whitewash. "We would have loved to keep them to zero, but overall I can't be disappointed," he said.
England: Tomkins; Charley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall; Sinfield, Chase; Mossop, McIlorum, Hill, Jones-Buchansn, Ellis, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used: Burrow, Ablett, Hock Morley.
France: Soubeyras; Sadaoui, Larroyer, Duport, Pala; Bosc, Barthau; Fakir, Bentley, Casty, Elima, Raguin, Baitieri. Substitutes used: Bemba, Gigot, Bousquet, Griffi.
Referee: S.Rehm (New Zealand).
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