‘That’s what we play for’ – George Williams on England’s Test win, errors and Samoa physicality

England will be ready for Samoa retaliation next week after a bruising and ill-tempered first Test on Sunday. That’s according to George Williams, who scored a try and claimed the man of the match award in a 34-18 win for Shaun Wane’s side.

The team in white were too good at times against Samoa as they turned on the style to score six tries at the Brick Community Stadium, with Williams being at the heart of several. The half-back set both Herbie Farnworth and Matty Ashton up for England’s first two efforts before getting over the line himself with a smart run just before the break.

Victor Radley got the scoreboard ticking over in the second half, before Ashton and Mikey Lewis touched down to seal the victory and hand Samoa revenge after that agonising World Cup defeat at the Emirates Stadium two years ago.

Samoa scored three tries of their own in Wigan and at points the game threatened to spill over as tempers flared. As such, while England have earned the right to enjoy their Test series opener win, they know they can expect to face a fired up and angered Samoa side next week at Headingley.

“I think it was a good game,” Williams told the BBC after the contest. “Credit to Samoa, in the second half they threw the ball about and really tested for us.

“We threw two intercept tries that we’ll not be happy with and that gives us something to work on next week. We’ll review it but the most thing is that we won and that’s what we came here to do.

“Even though we won, as you know, Shaun Wane will have us reviewing that game and wanting us to get better. A pleasing win.”

Asked about the physical and feisty nature of the contest, Williams added: “That’s what we play the game for, we want it to be physical. We know Samoa are a physical team and that’s what we’ve seen. It will be the same next week and we’ll be ready for it.”