Dom Young shines on debut as England smash Samoa in Rugby League World Cup opener

The one-year delay to the Rugby League World Cup caused by Covid had turned this opening fixture into a potential banana skin for England, with Samoa strengthened in the meantime by a number of players also qualified to represent Australia, but the host nation sidestepped the hazard neatly with a highly accomplished performance at St James’ Park.

For Shaun Wane, the England coach, the extra year has also seen a crop of younger players come onto his radar, among them Dom Young, the 21-year-old who has enjoyed a breakthrough season in Australia with Newcastle Knights, who scored two brilliant first-half tries to delight a crowd of 43,119.

Young, the 6ft 7in dreadlocked wing, who could become one of the breakout stars of the tournament, scored