NOBODY could have guessed Saints hooker James Roby had not played for England for two years as he contributed to a French carve-up on Saturday.

After a season in which he once again shone as Super League’s best number nine, he slipped seamlessly into international mode albeit from the substitutes’ bench.

In what looked to be Steve McNamara’s practice combination for the big test to come against New Zealand in Hull on Sunday, the 29-year-old replaced Canberra Raiders’ Josh Hodgson after 27 minutes and took the bull by the horns.

Although the game was already won at 22-4 upon his arrival, he did his bit to ensure the team stuck to plan against a French side depleted of many of its stars, including new Saints half back Theo Fages who withdrew with an abductor strain collected in the previous week’s European Championship success over Ireland in Albi.

By the time Roby left the Leigh Sports Village pitch in the 62nd minute, he had helped England extend their advantage by 50 points and bagged himself two tries in the process.

The visitors had no answer to England’s dominance at the ruck and speed of attack out of dummy half, especially at the start of the second period when tries were scored in six successive sets without a French hand being laid on the ball.

"I've had a few weeks off and felt quite energised,” said Roby, in action for the first time since Saints’ season ended in the play-offs at Leeds Rhinos on October 2.

"It was good to get a good result. I thought in patches, especially in the second half when we kept hold of the ball for such a long period without turning possession over, that was a strong point for us.

"But I thought the effort overall was a good team performance, a good hit-out and we were pretty professional in the manner that we kept the foot down until the end."

His first try – England’s ninth arriving in the 46th minute – was arguably the pick of the 15 scored.

He got himself in the perfect position to support a break from Leeds Rhinos centre Kallum Watkins down the right, taking the inside ball off Wigan winger Joe Burgess after his space to finish off had been closed down.

Roby’s second and England’s 11th came just five minutes later and was more of a straightforward affair, burrowing over from short range from the play-the-ball.

He certainly looked sharp and hungry, ready to make up for missing out on the Four Nations matches Down Under last autumn while resting up after surgery.

“Last year, I needed the rest and it did my body some good,” he said.

“I’m 30 next month and in rugby terms I’m getting on a bit. I needed that rest last year. I’d like to think that has helped me this year.

“I don’t regret that decision but at the same time it was hard watching the lads over there as they played so well. But I’m back in the fold now, part of the team and it’s good to get back to winning ways.”

In what was England’s first game on home soil since 2013 World Cup semi-final heartbreak against the Kiwis at Wembley, no mercy was shown against Richard Agar’s team.

Huddersfield Giants back rower Brett Ferres bagged an explosive second-half hat-trick, while there were also braces for Wigan Warriors centre John Bateman on debut and Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall as England beat their previous best score against France, the 73-6 result achieved in Gateshead in 1996.

Highly consistent former Saints prop James Graham was among the impressive performers, with his aggressive running and smart distribution work surely making the Canterbury Bulldogs man a ‘shoo in’ to face the hulking Kiwis on Sunday.