Smith: We need tougher games

Injured O'Loughlin the only absentee for England coach in Paris

Last updated: 16th June 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Smith: We need tougher games

Smith: Looking for tougher games for his young side

I'm very disappointed it was not a tough game. You can only do the best with what's in front of you. But while we are playing at that level, it's not doing a whole lot to help

Tony Smith
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England coach Tony Smith is warning people not to get too carried away by his side's mauling of France in Paris.

A youthful England line-up ran riot in the French capital on Saturday, Richie Myler leading the way with a hat-trick of tries in a 66-12 victory.

The match was played ahead of the two teams taking part in the end-of-season Four Nations, which also includes Australia and New Zealand.

With tough opposition to come Smith is wary of rising expectations following a win against an under-strength French side missing seven key players.

Stronger opposition

"We have to have stronger opposition for us to get better. We need tougher games," he said.

"The camp part of it is really useful but it gives the media maybe some false dawns about what's coming. We all get excited, and then maybe get let down.

"We need to give them (England) better opposition so they can catch and maybe get better than the other nations.

"I'm very disappointed it was not a tough game. You can only do the best with what's in front of you. But while we are playing at that level, it's not doing a whole lot to help."

As well as Salford scrum-half Myler, Smith gave starts to several other new faces who have impressed for their clubs in Super League this year.

Form

The Warrington boss insists that he would have picked the same line-up even if England had been playing the Kangaroos or the Kiwis at the weekend.

"I picked a team based on their form at the moment," he added.

"So if that had been Australia or New Zealand, that would have been the team I'd have picked. I need to get that straight.

"There wasn't anybody else, apart from (the injured) Sean O'Loughlin, that I was going to choose, even if it was Australia or New Zealand."