Tomkins stars as England thump France - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tomkins stars as England thump France

13/06/2010 06:03:14 AM Comments (0)

Sam Tomkins led England's 11-try rout of injury-hit France with four of his own as they cruised to a 60-6 victory in the one-off rugby league Test on Saturday.

Steve McNamara's first match as England coach saw 21-year-old halfback Tomkins score all his tries before half time as the side registered an 11th straight win over France dating back to 1981.

Australia-based Gareth Widdop scored a try on debut after the fullback had made just two senior appearances for the Melbourne Storm while Michael Shenton and Gareth Ellis both scored two tries apiece.

Kevin Sinfield and Widdop kicked eight goals between them with France restricted to a try from Andrew Bentley and a Gregory Mounis goal.

If ever France were to have a hope of causing an upset, they had to be at full strength.

But a side coached by Bobbie Goulding, the former Great Britain international, lost seven regulars from Super League side Catalans Dragons in the build-up to this match and the lack of depth in French rugby league was exposed mercilessly by England.

Whether this match would serve as usual preparation for the end of season Four Nations tournament fetauring rugby league giants Australia and New Zealand had been a talking point in the build-up to the fixture.

And after such a lopsided result, former England coach Tony Smith's call for a match between the national side and a team of overseas Super League players was sure to be repeated.

The 21-year-old Widdop, born in Halifax but who emgirated to Australia with his family five years ago, scored the match's first try in the second minute after a superb one-handed pass by Sam Burgess to Chris Bridge.

Another debutant, Wigan second row Joel Tomkins, then sent his younger brother in for a try that enabled Sam to complete a hat-trick five minutes before half-time.

The Tomkins were the first brothers to represent their country since Paul and David Hulme played for Great Britain against New Zealand in 1989.

It was quickly evident all France could hope for was to keep the score down but their chances of avoiding a blow-out ended when full-back Constant Villegas was sin binned for a trip on Bridge and England scored four tries while the visitors were reduced to 12 men.

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