How did the Wolves players fare for England against Lebanon?

On the whole, England will look to a largely positive performance in defence, but Wayne Bennett will be looking for more in attack from his side.

The options on the fifth tackle were lacking and Bennett would have been hoping for a speedier ruck as they struggled to adapt to Lebanon’s quick line speed in defence.

But how did the three Wolves players perform at Sydney Football Stadium?

Stefan Ratchford, finally getting a game for England in tournament football for the first time, started at full-back.

The wet and slippery conditions in Sydney have the potential to be a full-back’s nightmare, but Ratchford coped reasonably well.

The kicks coming in from the Lebanon halves were tricky, with the Wolves man often allowing the ball to bounce but eventually diffusing the threat.

There was one error from such a kick, however, which allowed Lebanon to set up position for Nick Kassis to score their opening try.

At the other end, it was Ratchford’s final pass which put Kallum Watkins over as England created an overlap on the right edge.

The former Salford man came off on the hour mark, with Gareth Widdop slotting into the number one position, before coming back on at dummy-half in the later stages.

With Jonny Lomax struggling with a calf injury which looks likely to keep him out of next week’s final Pool A clash with France, Ratchford looks set for another shot in Perth.

Chris Hill started in the front row once again, as has become customary, but it was a quiet day for the Wolves skipper.

Hill spent long periods off the field, perhaps feeling the effects of a tackle which caused him to get gingerly to his feet after just six minutes.

He was the first England player to be substituted, with Chris Heighington coming on in his stead.

Not abnormal perhaps, but Hill spent most of the game on the bench and only came on again for the final 20 minutes.

Perhaps the most outstanding performer of the Wolves players, however, was Ben Currie.

Not only because of his try, but he also offered an X-factor that England seemed to be missing.

Wolves fans have got used to his excellent picking of lines and ability to force his way through a defence with his pace, but now it is clear on an international stage.

On an often-ignored England left edge, Currie was by far the biggest threat and got over for his first international try towards the end of the first half.

Will it be the first of many England tries for Currie? The evidence would suggest it is.

On the whole, fellow big guns Australia, New Zealand and, arguably, Tonga will not lose too much sleep over England’s display.

With plenty to improve upon, England make the long trip to Perth for their final Pool A game against France.

All photos by NRLPhotos