FORMER Saint James Graham said he was ‘embarrassed’ by England’s performance in Saturday’s shock loss to Italy seven days before the start of the World Cup.

Graham was making his first appearance on British shores since departing to the NRL with Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of 2011.

Speaking exclusively to the St Helens Star, he was spitting feathers with defeat to one of the World Cup’s minnow nations, albeit stacked with talent from the NRL including Sydney Roosters’ Grand Final winners Anthony Minichiello and Aidan Guerra.

“That’s probably the worst I’ve ever felt coming off a rugby field,” said the 28-year-old, whose last game for Saints was the 32-16 Super League Grand Final loss to Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.

“And I’m not being disrespectful to Italy in saying that – there’s some good players in their team and credit to them for getting the win.

“But you don’t need me to tell you that it was not good enough. Everyone knows, and there’s been so much excitement for the World Cup – it’s genuinely embarrassing.

“Disappointing, not good enough, embarrassing.”

Graham, who started the game at prop alongside Wigan’s Lee Mossop, added: “Where do I start about that performance? Genuinely, where do I start?

“The preparation had been all right, it’s been good. Maybe it’s just one of them days, maybe not. I just don’t know, I can’t put my finger on it and it’s all a bit of a shock.

“I genuinely can’t believe – and again with respect to Italy – what’s happened!”