RUGBY LEAGUE
England destroyed France in a World Cup warm-up game. The match, at the Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse, was played in 80 degree heat, perfect conditions for England to practise in for when they play their opening game of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup against Papua New Guinea in Queensland later this year. England coach Tony Smith should be pleased with his side's performance, although it has been a long time since France last beat England.
France: Clayton, Khattabi, Sadaoui, Raguin, Stacul, Bosc, Wynne, Elima, Rinaldi, Fellous, Carrasco, Anselme, Mounis.
Replacements: Casty, Fakir, Sabatie, Duport.
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England: Wellens, Gardner, Gleeson, Senior, Fox, Pryce, Burrow, Morley, Roby, Peacock, Ellis, Burgess, Sinfield.
Replacements: Graham, Fa'asavalu, Wilkin, McGuire.
FRANCE 8-56 ENGLAND
Rampaging: Adrian Morley (l) and Leon Pryce set up yet another searing England attack. Gleeson has had mixed fortunes with Warrington Wolves this season
Martin Gleeson went over for a hat-trick of tries as England recovered from a slow start to run in 10 tries against France in Toulouse.
James Wynne put France ahead but England got back into it through Leon Pryce, Gleeson and Maurie Fa'asavalu.
England's strength showed after the break with quick tries from debutant Peter Fox and Keith Senior.
Gleeson completed his hat-trick with Jon Wilkin, Danny McGuire and Paul Wellens also scoring.
The game proved to be a useful warm-up for coach Tony Smith as his side prepare for the World Cup later this year in Australia.
But France, with nine players in their ranks from the Catalans Dragons (the side from Perpignan who are flying high in the English Super League), stunned England when Toulouse scrum-half Wynne, who qualifies through residency, wrong-footed Jamie Peacock to cross after nine minutes.
Ade Gardner and Fox both had tries disallowed by the two video referees but England drew level on 14 minutes when Kevin Sinfield put James Roby in and Pryce was on the inside to finish.
Sinfield added the goal and England went in front five minutes later when a cross-field move stretched the French defence and Gleeson took Pryce's pass for his first try.
Sinfield missed the kick and France cut the deficit to two points with a Thomas Bosc penalty before Bradford's Sam Burgess was denied a try by the video referee for obstruction.
The visitors eventually made their superiority count six minutes before the break when substitute Fa'asavalu took Sinfield's inside pass to get through a gap for a third try and the Leeds skipper kicked his second goal.
England continued to dominate in the second half and Senior made amends for a knock-on by offloading to Fox for the Hull KR player to score in the corner.
Rob Burrow took over kicking duties from Sinfield but missed the conversion, although he was on target soon after to add the extras when Senior ran onto Pryce's pass to score.
Gleeson then beat his opposite number to claim his second touchdown and completed his hat-trick with 61 minutes gone after taking Senior's long pass and cutting inside to deceive the back-tracking defenders.
The Warrington man took a well-deserved rest but the scoring continued, with Wilkin crashing over from close range and McGuire taking advantage of a slick pass from Sinfield to touch down before providing the pass for full-back Wellens to score England's 10th try.
England coach Tony Smith
"It was a job well done, and not just tonight. The squad has been very professional in the build-up. They have prepared themselves for that sort of performance.
"They have set some pretty high standards for themselves and I think you could see that commitment. There was a little early blemish defensively but after that there weren't many.
"It was a pretty polished performance with some great combinations. It seemed like we just carried on from the last series. They are familiar with each other. It has almost been club-like this week."
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