ENGLISH hearts were gladdened after a comprehensive drubbing of the Irish at Huddersfield – even if it only serves as a showcase exhibition match for their crucial clash with the Fijians in a week’s time.

Truth be told The Wolfhounds, with a smattering of Superleague and NRL talent, disappointed before a record crowd at the John Smith’s Stadium.

But Steve McNamara’s crusaders could only put their designated opponents to the sword – and they did it with some style.

For a six-minute spell in the opening half England crossed four times without the Irish getting a touch of the ball.

And it didn’t necessarily take superlative rugby to crack Mark Aston’s side wide open – England just did the basics efficiently and clinically.

Ever-willing wingers Ryan Hall and Tom Briscoe shared five scores between them and there was never any overcoming what proved to be a finishing masterclass.

Returning after injury, Sean O’Loughlin and a rampaging forward line set up a decent platform for Rangi Chase, James Roby and Gareth Widdop to fling the ball around with ease.

James Hasson, Brett White and Simon Finnigan versus Chris Hill, George/Thomas Burgess and Brett Ferres, for the hosts, resembled a catchweight contest at times and Featherstone-bound full-back James Mendeika, while he may be well-supported around East Lancs for this tournament, looked shell-shocked on occasion.

After the break squally showers took the sting out of the game a little but a neat move by England, a Widdop kick switched astutely inside for Callum Watkins by Briscoe, restored the host’s momentum somewhat.

Full-back Sam Tomkins got in on the act before the close, with his probing kick touched down by the fingertips of Chase just before the 70-minute mark, to notch up a deserved 42-0 final scoreline.

The Irish did persist, much to their credit, but lacked the firepower or creativity where it really counted.

With the Kiwis masterminding a similar mauling of France in Avignon, despite a brief rally after half-time, the wheat is certainly being separated from the chaff.

But the issue of whether England can harvest a Group A runners-up spot, after facing the Pacific Islanders in Hull next weekend, will give many rugby fans food for thought.