England 60 Samoa 6 - what we learned from World Cup opener

Despite going into the game as underdogs against a star-studded Samoan team, Shaun Wane’s men put in an impressive showing to lay down a marker in Newcastle.

10 tries were scored, with Dom Young and Elliot Whitehead both scoring twice while Warrington Wolves’ George Williams getting in on the act late on.

Jack Welsby, Herbie Farnworth, Kallum Watkins, Tommy Makinson and Tom Burgess were also on the scoresheet, with Samoa’s sole response coming via an interception try from Izack Tago.

Here are our five takeaways from the game…

A simply perfect start

Not in their wildest dreams could England have imagined getting their campaign off to such a start.

This was meant to be by far their toughest test in Group A but they passed it with flying colours with an all-round display of energy, control and incision.

While the atmosphere at St James’ Park was subdued at first, they had the 43,000 strong crowd buzzing with excitement.

Home advantage could be key in this tournament and this will send out quite a message to their fellow big boys.

The celebrations that followed Kallum Watkins' try. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)

The George Williams of old

Warrington Wolves fans may be both excited and frustrated in equal measure by the performance of their sole representative in the squad.

“Why didn’t we get more of that during the season?” they may ask after an impressive showing from the half-back.

A try, three assists, some threatening kicks, intent to attack the line and even some big interventions in defence when needed – an impressive tackle to stop a near-certain Jayden Su’a try for one – Williams showed an impressive all-round game capped with a late score.

> Tomkins and Wane heap praise on 'outstanding' George Williams

He showed an impressive link-up with St Helens’ Jack Welsby, who was also outstanding over on the right edge.

It just goes to show how dangerous he can be in a side that dominates up front and wins the ruck – fingers crossed that continues through the tournament and into 2023.

George Williams is tackled by Samoa's Anthony Milford. Picture by PA (Image: PA)

Samoan shambles

Much was made of the star quality of this Samoa side coming into the tournament as they arrived with a squad stacked full of top NRL talent.

There was perhaps an expectation that we may not see the best of them in this opener, with the full squad having only three training sessions together this week.

However, this display showed a lot more ring rust than anybody expected.

While they showed flashes of adventure with the ball – Sydney Roosters wunderkind Joseph Sua’ali’i was particularly lively – it was often punctuated with handling errors which meant they could not sustain any pressure.

Then, when the game started to get away from them late on, they completely crumbled.

They will no doubt improve, but it is fair to say we were expecting so much more.

Samoa perform their pre-match Siva Tau. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWpix.com)

Outside backs set the tone

Much of the base for England’s dominance came from the three-quarter line that all ended up on the scoresheet.

It was their lively carries and quick play-the-balls that allowed the home side to play the game at their pace.

Dom Young will get the headlines – rightly so – for two eye-catching first-half tries that illuminated a gloomy afternoon on Tyneside, but his three fellow outside backs were all impressive.

Centre Herbie Farnworth was excellent going both ways while on the other edge, Kallum Watkins showed just why Shaun Wane was so keen to bring him back into the international fold.

Tommy Makinson’s try capped a typically industrious display, while his goal-kicking continues to improve and impress.

Herbie Farnworth touches down. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)

Can this game capture the imagination?

The crowd was the biggest for a Rugby League World Cup opener and they can only have gone away thrilled by what they saw.

What those in the England camp will hope for now is that the display gives ticket sales a boost for the games to come.

They were already limited for next week’s clash with France in Bolton, so might that shellacking of one of the tournament favourites tip them towards dusting off the “sold out” signs?

England fans enjoyed their side's display in Newcastle. Picture by SWPix.com (Image: SWPix.com)