STEVE Price hailed Stefan Ratchford as England’s best full-back after his display in The Wire’s 32-30 win over Wakefield Trinity.

Ratchford – who flies out to join the England squad in Denver for Saturday’s Test against New Zealand tomorrow – was superb in defence for the visitors after scoring two tries in the opening 10 minutes at Belle Vue.

Wakefield 30 Wire 32 match facts

Wire's win at Wakefield as it happened

St Helens’ Jonny Lomax is likely to be his main rival for England’s number one shirt against the Kiwis and Price was fulsome in his praise of the former Salford man.

“I think Stef is the best full-back in Super League at the moment outside Benny Barba,” he said.

“I know Ben has been doing some tremendous things of late, but Stef has been tremendous and consistent all year.

“He came up with some big moments and big try-savers for us.”

The Wire surged into a 20-0 lead early on at Belle Vue but twice had to repel second-half comebacks from Trinity to secure the two points.

Warrington were on the ropes late on as Wakefield pushed for an unlikely victory in a game they trailed from the third minute onwards, but Price never felt the outcome was in doubt.

“We had our moments at the back end, more than I would like, but it was pleasing to get the two points,” he said.

“Even though they scored those late tries, I thought we were always in control.

“We played some really attractive and exciting football in the first 25 minutes. We played with a lot of finesse and directness.

“The scoreline didn’t really indicate the true value of the game.

“Credit to Wakefield. They are very awkward to play at home.

“They throw a lot of shape at you and they have a lot of big bodies through the middle third.

“We handled it pretty effectively and it was only the last four or five minutes where we got a little bit sloppy.

“I know what sort of footy team we are and I know there’s a lot of improvement left in us.”