England defeat Exiles but fears over captain Kevin Sinfield

Steve McNamara's side record 30-10 victory but both Sinfield and Gareth Ellis leave with nasty looking injuries

England captain Kevin Sinfield attempts to break the tackle of Sia Soliola (GETTY IMAGES)

England captain Kevin Sinfield believes his side's 30-10 victory over the Exiles was useful preparation for the World Cup, even though his part in it was curtailed by injury.

Centre Leroy Cudjoe scored two of England's five tries in their last competitive outing before they meet Australia in the World Cup opener in Cardiff on October 26.

England failed to build on a highly-promising 15-minute spell that brought them four tries and enabled them to establish a 24-0 interval lead but Sinfield insists there were plenty of positives from last night's international origin game at Warrington.

"The fact we have got out there as a team, won another trophy, got another hit-out under our belts - there is so much we can learn from that," Sinfield said.

"We needed to play a game against world-class opposition. We have done that.

"There will be things we have to learn going into the World Cup. All in all, I think it's been a really successful week."

Sinfield's growing importance to the side was illustrated by the way they struggled in his absence in a disappointing second half.

The Leeds skipper will see a surgeon this weekend to determine if he needs an operation on his injured thumb and looks certain to miss his first Super League game since August 2010 when the Rhinos host Widnes on Monday night.

England also lost second rower Gareth Ellis with what appeared to be a serious looking injury, although coach Steve McNamara later revealed it to be nothing more than a back spasm.

McNamara says he was encouraged by last night's victory, which enabled England to draw level in the matches against the Exiles so far at 2-2.

"To win it 30-10 is very good for us," he said.

"We have developed a lot. We are really comfortable with where we are as a group.

"We know we have got a huge task in front of us at the end of the year. We know it is not going to be easy and it is not meant to be easy but we will be prepared for everything that gets thrown at us."

The Exiles were completely outplayed in the first half but managed to trouble their hosts after the break, scoring tries through Mickey Paea and Joel Monaghan, and coach Brian McClennan believes England will need to find some marked improvement if they are to make an impact in the World Cup.

Asked if he was impressed by England, the former New Zealand boss said: "Not particularly. It was a pretty loose game in general."

PA