ENGLAND, as expected, saw off part timers Lebanon 29-10 in their second World Cup group game in Sydney but it was a far from convincing performance.

In contrast to the Australians and Kiwis, who posted big scores in their round two matches, England's second half attack fell flat and it led to a pretty turgid affair.

A bad-tempered second 40 was punctuated with the occasional minor sets of 'hand-bags' but on the whole it was a disapponting performace.

England went into the game without late withdrawals Saints duo James Roby and Jonny Lomax and that may have contributed to the lack of fluency.

They certainly missed the zip of Roby, outstanding last week, from dummy half.

Saints prop Alex Walmsley finally made his full debut international debut and made his contribution to a strong middle in which James Graham was his usual quality self.

But overall England will have to make huge improvements on this if they are to trouble Australia and New Zealand in the last four and to avoid a slip in the quarters.

Although defensively strong, they need to offer much more with the ball.

England's tries came from Kalum Watkins, Jermaine McGillvary, Ryan Hall, Ben Currie and Tom Burgess - the latter of those from a superb Graham pass.

Gareth Widdop chipped over a late drop goal, but it was hardly a finish with a flourish.

England: Ratchford, McGillvary, Watkins, Bateman, Hall, Widdop,
Gale, Hill, Hodgson, Graham, Currie, Whitehead, O'Loughlin.
Replacements: Walmsley, Heighington, T. Burgess, Williams.
Lebanon: Abou-Sleiman, T. Robinson, Maarbani, Doueihi, Miski,
Moses, Farah, Mannah, Clark, Mamary, Twal, Ellaz, Kassis.
Replacements: Lichaa, Moujali, Wehbe, Sukkar.