England playing for pride

England's elder statesman demanding a reaction from his team

Last updated: 12th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

England playing for pride

Morley: Looking for a good performance

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Adrian Morley believes a youthful England side can restore some pride against Bobbie Goulding's France in Paris on Saturday.

England coach Tony Smith has rung the changes for the mid-season international following an abject showing at the World Cup last year.

France, too, are looking to atone for an equally dismal showing in Australia and are pinning their hopes on Englishman Goulding, who will take charge of the national team for the first time since replacing Australian John Monie.

Passion

Warrington star Morley is one of only seven England World Cup survivors included and the veteran expects to see a passionate display from both sides.

"I know Bobbie very well, I played with him, and I know what passion he used to bring to the team," said Morley. "I'm sure he will bring a lot of passion as a coach.

"They're going to be fired up. They had a disappointing World Cup so they will want to put in a big performance. I'm sure it's going to be tough, especially early on.

"We want to put the World Cup behind us as well. It was hugely disappointing to say the least.

"It's a fresh year and all the boys are desperate to get out there and restore a bit of pride. We're looking for a good performance."

Blood

Goulding is without seven key players, meanwhile - Sebastien Raguin, Jamal Fakir (both knee), Dimitri Pelo, David Ferriol (both ankle), Cyril Stacul (broken thumb) and Olivier Elima (eye) because of injury - while Christophe Moly is absent because of personal reasons.

Despite the lengthy list of missing men, former St Helens, Wigan, Leeds, Widnes, Huddersfield, Wakefield, Salford, Leigh and Rochdale number seven Goulding is demanding his players put their bodies on the line at the Stade Jean-Bouin.

"If all the players come off the pitch bleeding and sweating and they can look me in the eye and say they've given everything they've got, I can accept that," he said.

"You can build on that. The result takes care of itself. If we give our all that is all anybody can ask for.

"Your luck will change off the back of trying. I'm looking for a big performance from my lads.

"We are 10th in the world now and I want to get them to fourth."