Debut try for Langley as spirited French tire

The Bulls' Jamie Langley scored a try just seconds into his debut as Great Britain eventually eased to victory in the Frontline Test tonight.

The Bradford loose forward had only just come on off the bench when he crossed for a 36th-minute effort against spirited France at Headingley Carnegie.

It was one of eight tries notched by an experimental Britain side which helped new Lions boss Tony Smith get his reign off to a winning start.

But it didn't come easy. They were behind in an error-ridden first half and needed Langley's score to put them ahead 16-10 at the break.

Gritty France threatened to repeat their shock win at the same ground in 1990 with a physical opening half.

However, Britain, with Kevin Sinfield influential after coming on for injured Leeds team-mate Danny McGuire, took control after the break as their opponents visibly tired, and Smith has plenty of positives as he looks ahead to the autumn series with New Zealand and the 2008 World Cup.

"We learned a lot from that," he said, after seeing five newcomers, including Langley and Bulls team-mate Andy Lynch, debut in a fresh-faced side.

"Once we got a bit of patience we played some good stuff and there was some real encouraging signs. It was very positive by a young team."

The likes of Jamie Peacock, Stuart Fielden, Terry Newton, Paul Wellens and Leon Pryce were all rested as Smith, with Bulls chief Steve McNamara as his assistant, took a look at some of the rising stars of Super League.

It seemed like they might be upstaged though when Catalans' Thomas Bosc made an early break to scare the hosts, and after Britain conceded a weak 40/20 from the excellent Maxime Gresque, David Hodgson was called on to make a try-saving tackle in the corner.

McGuire did get Britain off the mark against the run of play with their first real attack on ten minutes.

Ade Gardner ripped France up down the middle with a speedy burst and Hodgson linked to send the Leeds ace over.

However, Rob Burrow missed the simple conversion and the expected walkover didn't immediately materialise as the rugged visitors quickly responded.

Stylish stand-off Gresque started and finished a 20th-minute score, producing a classy chip over the static Lions defence before finding Julien Rinaldi.

The Catalans hooker tried to offload but the ball rebounded loose towards the try line and Gresque was the first to react to dive over.

Dazed McGuire departed with concussion after a big tackle during the build up, putting him in doubt for the Rhinos' clash against the Bulls at Headingley on Friday.

Sinfield was forced on at No 6 and the French soon stunned Smith's men by taking the lead.

Britain couldn't wrap up their powerful forwards as they charged to the line and, after Adrian Morley failed to mop up a loose pass, Gresque was over again gleefully hitting Cyril Gossard's fine offload.

Bosc's conversion made it 10-4 but livewire Burrow scampered over off Morley's clever pass, Sinfield tagging on the extras, and they headed into the break just in front when Langley got his try from close range.

The second half was a different story though as the home side quickly stamped their authority.

Stephen Wild, the first Huddersfield player to represent Great Britain in 36 years, settled nerves two minutes after the re-start, scoring following sharp approach play from James Roby and Sinfield.

When Morley charged over, marking his first Test as skipper with a try after hitting Sinfield's well-timed inside pass, the French were broken and the game won.

Sinfield converted and added the extras after James Graham set Jon Wilkin loose, Harlequins full back Chris Melling supporting to send Burrow in for his second.

Former Bulls centre Paul Sykes was next on the sheet.

Second-rower Eric Anselme pulled one back for France but normal service resumed when Roby raced on to Lynch's fantastic offload to clinch a 50th success over their cross-Channel rivals.

"We pushed things a little in the first half and they came up with some cheap tries which made it tough for us," Smith said.

"That was maybe over-ehutsiasm, which isn't a bad thing, but we were led well up front by the skipper and we answered some questions.

"Competition for places is something we wanted to get out of this and we have that.

"All credit to France - they put on some tough opposition and played some nice rugby league."