Even without the contingent of Leeds and St Helens players who will dominate coach Tony Smith's first-choice line-up, England had too much class for a young and inexperienced Welsh side playing under new coach John Dixon for the first time.

It was not the strenuous work-out Smith might have wanted but it was a chance for his eight ''ring-rusty'' World Cup squad players to gain match practice and for others to force their way into the coach's thinking in the event of injury.

Prop Stuart Fielden demonstrated his right to be in the standby squad while a host of others went some way towards justifying their inclusion in Smith's final 24-man squad.

Man of the match Rob Purdham, who contributed 20 points with a try and eight goals, led the way, closely followed by hooker Mickey Higham, winger Mark Calderwood and second rower Gareth Hock in pushing their claims for places in the team to face Papua New Guinea in Townsville in a fortnight.

Of the fringe men, it was a night to remember for Harlequins' London-born debutants Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook and Tony Clubb, who both marked the occasion with tries, and youngster Richard Myler, who enhanced his fast-growing reputation with an exciting display.

The 18-year-old was chosen, in the absence of any specialist back-up to scrum-half Rob Burrow, to gain a taste of international rugby league and he did not disappoint.

''He's going to be an international player of the future and he showed that tonight,'' said Smith, who was less willing to discuss Myler's chances of remaining on standby for the World Cup.

''He did a great job and we're delighted for him. We'll make some provisions but we'd rather think they're all going there fit and healthy.''

Two-try Martin Gleeson, captain for the night in the absence of Jamie Peacock and Adrian Morley, played only half the match after feeling an ankle twinge while Calderwood went off early in the second half with a dead leg. Both players will board the flight for Brisbane on Monday.

''We didn't want to risk anybody tonight that was travelling,'' added Smith.

Shorn of a host of Welsh regulars through retirement and injury, Dixon fielded nine players aged under 22, seven of whom made their senior debuts including 18-year-old forward Gil Dudson.

Dixon insisted he was not disappointed by the final score, pointing out that England lost 64-12 to Australia in 2002, and insisted that while his opponents focus on this year's World Cup, he has his sights set on 2013.

''We can only grow from here,'' he said. ''It's a starting point.
''Gil Dudson was fantastic. He tackled great, ran hard and he's 18. If
Gil Dudson is still playing for Wales when he's 28, he's going to be a hell of a front rower and there's going to be a stack of young men around him coming through.

''As coach of the Crusaders, I'm excited about the youth coming through.
''To be frank and realistic, we can't compete with England at the moment. We don't have a Super League club in Wales but in 2009 we will have.

''We think and know that, based on the model from France, we will be a dominant force in the UK.

''Our goal in 2009 is to beat Serbia and Ireland and to be the second best nation in the northern hemisphere and from there in 10 years' time, who knows? We might be the best.''