Charnley leads England to record rout

Wales 12 England 80

Josh Charnley: 'You've got to take your chances when you get them' (Getty Images)

Josh Charnley's four tries set England on their way to a record score against opponents who found them far too hot to handle. The Wigan winger added to the competition-leading 31 tries he scored in Super League this year. "You've got to take your chances when you get them," said Charnley, who was preferred on the right flank to Hull's Tom Briscoe.

England racked up their highest score against Wales, beating the 74 points they put past them in Doncaster four years ago, leaving Iestyn Harris with plenty to think about. "Having players like that available in every position is a luxury we just don't have," said the Welsh coach. "We weren't physical enough and we've got 12 months before the World Cup to put that right."

A Welsh side with only a smattering of Super League experience looked organised when they had the ball, but could not defend under pressure. Ryan Hall put England ahead after nine minutes and five minutes later Charnley scored on the opposite wing. Zak Hardaker claimed his first from Sean O'Loughlin's break and the Wigan captain was also involved in the next, kicking ahead for Kallum Watkins to touch down.

The try of the half came from Gareth Hock's one-handed off-load to Hardaker, but Wales enjoyed their best few minutes immediately before the break and registered their first points through Christian Roets.

Wales were swept aside in the second half, with nine more tries, the most memorable of which was Charnley's fourth, from 70 metres out. Kevin Sinfield, captaining his country for the first time, celebrated with 12 goals and a busy performance, while coach Steve McNamara, while admitting England had not been perfect, was delighted with a ruthless display. Dan Fleming scored Wales's only second-half try, but that was mere punctuation in a one-sided story.

Wales Moss; Kear, Channing, Roets, D James; Jones, Seamark; J James, Budworth, Kopczak, Lloyd, Evans, Flower. Substitutes used Dudson, Fleming, Burke, Parry.

England Hardaker; Charnley, Watkins, Cudjoe, Hall; Sinfield, Myler; Morley, McIlorum, Hill, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, O'Loughlin. Substitutes used Burrow, Hock, Ablett, Mossop.

Referee Theirry Albert (France).