FOR a tournament that had been enthralling packed crowds and Premier Sports TV audiences for a week, it was unfortunate that England’s game against Ireland fell flatter than a Sunday morning slops tray at The Fat Ox.

Doubly so that that game was broadcast live on the BBC – and giving such a false picture of the tournament so far.

It was just too easy for England, who gave the impression that they could score at will against an out of their depth Irish side.

Five tries gave England a 30-0 lead after 24 minutes rendering large parts of the last hour a complete non-event, so much so that the fans among the Huddersfield stadium record crowd of 24,375 resorted to Mexican waves for amusement.

It was a week too late, but ex-Saints skipper James Graham was thrown in off the bench and – not that it was needed against the Irish – England’s pack looks a lot more substantial with the flame-haired front rower’s hard carries and ball playing in the line.

Graham left the field early, but speaking post-match with an ice pack on his knee, he expects to be fine for Saturday’s clash against Fiji that will effectively settle second or third spots.

There he will be propping against old warhorse Petero Civoniceva, a player Graham rates highly.

Graham said: “He is one of the best front rowers of this generation really isn’t he? I still watch him in a few games for Redcliffe.

“He is still going strong and in the game the other night against Ireland he was looking strong.

“He is one of best of this generation of front rowers, so it is going to be a tough ask, in among some of the other forwards they have got.”

“Your forwards have to stand up every game, so Fiji is no different from that. As will everyone else, we will not be taking them lightly, so it is not just about forwards standing up.”