STEFAN Ratchford was among the scorers as England completed the group stage with a comfortable 36-6 win against France in sweaty Perth to seal a Rugby League World Cup quarter-final with Papua New Guinea.

Starting on the wing for the first time in more than 10 years, Warrington Wolves’ regular full-back crossed for his country’s second effort as an 18-0 lead was established within 18 minutes.

Clubmates Kevin Brown, making his first appearance of the tournament, Ben Currie and Chris Hill were all involved as England impressed to take a 26-6 lead into the second half.

But ball control became an issue after the break as a side disrupted by numerous changes lost their rhythm.

Two-try Jermain McGillvary limped out of the action, the only named hooker James Roby was given a breather and it meant Wigan’s George Williams featured at stand off, then hooker and finally right centre.

Mark Percival, usually a left centre, started at right centre and finished on the right wing.

The defensive effort, in the circumstances of the changes, was a strong effort but head coach Wayne Bennett will know there is lots of work to do ahead of the meeting with the Kumuls in Melbourne next Sunday.

PNG sealed top spot in their group today with a 64-0 demolition of USA in Port Moresby.

That result rendered the Ireland versus Wales curtain-raiser to the England-France game as a dead rubber, but Ireland – with Warrington links Joe Philbin, George King, Ed Chamberlain and Tyrone McCarthy – bow out after their second win today, 34-6.

England: Gareth Widdop; Stefan Ratchford, Mark Percival, John Bateman, Jermaine McGillvary; Kevin Brown, Luke Gale; Chris Hill, James Roby, James Graham, Ben Currie, Mike McMeeken, Sean O’Loughlin.

Subs: Alex Walmsley, Thom Burgess, Scott Taylor, George Williams.

France: Mark Kheirallah; Fouad Yaha, Bastien Ader, Benjamin Jullien, Ilias Bergal; Theo Fages, Lucas Albert; Maxime Herold, John Boudebza, Antoni Maria, Ben Garcia , Julian Bousquet, Jason Baitieri.

Subs: Romain Navarrete, Thibaut Margalet, Mickael Rouch, Nabil Djalout.