England rout France

England showed some ominous signs ahead of their three-test series against the Kiwis, thrashing France 44-6. The test at Leigh Sports Village was one-way traffic, with the Wayne Bennett-coached side jumping out to a 38-0 lead at halftime. Tom Burgess bagged England’s first try in the test’s opening minute and Wakefield winger Tom Johnson scored a

25-minute hat-trick on debut. Jake Connor picked up England’s only try of the second half, while Theo Fages scored a consolation try for France late in the test. The first test between England and New Zealand is in Hull on October

28. They then face each other in Liverpool on November 5 and in Leeds on November 12.