Image source, Getty Images

Nice feet from George Williams, he steps inside the tackle to make space for a kick, but the execution isn't quite there as the Wigan half-back's grubber only finds a blue shirt.

France work it well, and Lucas Albert spots a gap in the England line to open up and dart towards the line.

He doesn't quite have the legs, and is gobbled up 20 metres short.

Phillp: England looking much better in attack with Kev Brown at stand off and Whiddop at full back. Looking more fluid and organised as well

Image source, NRLPhotos

Stefan Ratchford ends up with the ball in hand on the last tackle with nowhere to go.

He jinks one way, then the other, but the French defenders wrap the Warrington man up and they'll take possession.

A first real touch of the ball for France in this half. It's a good set, finished by the high boot of Lucas Albert.

Karate Warrior 2: England can bully France all they like. Whether they have a chance against real Tier 1 nation teams is a totally different story.

Ian Millward
Former St Helens coach on BBC Two

Sit back and have a look at this pass by Widdop. This takes class.

He knows the winger is coming in to cream him, but he transfers the ball with the minimum of fuss.

Good players have time when they have to execute under pressure.

Image source, Getty Images

Apparently Wayne Bennett is down on the touchline taking selfies with fans. It's amazing what a decent first-half performance from your side can do...

Jon Wilkin
Former England international on BBC Two

Our point of difference is our middle players being able to play with each other, making short passes and taking pressure off our half-backs.

There's no other team in this competition that can do that. We have to maximise that.

Gareth Widdop gets the second half under way.

So it looks very much like England are heading for a quarter-final meeting with Papua New Guinea, who beat USA 64-0 earlier to end Ireland's hopes of progressing.

A big second half for the players looking to cement their place in Wayne Bennett's side?

Sign up for notifications on the BBC Sport app.

Want all the biggest sports news, analysis and event updates sent direct to your phone or tablet? Then download the BBC Sport app and sign up to notifications.

You can now add Rugby League World Cup notifications for line-ups, goals, kick-off, half-time and results in the BBC Sport app.

Visit this page here to find out how to sign up.

There was a slightly disappointing end to the half for England, as Benjamin Garcia got France on the scoreboard with this nifty bit of work.

Iestyn Harris
Former Great Britain and Wales international on Radio 5 live sports extra

England were hands down the better side. What they were looking for a 80- minute performance. That first half was probably a 9/10. As a one to seventeen we've looked accomplished.

Scott Whiteley: Gotta be Widdop, Williams, Gale and Roby as the starting spine for me next week.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC Two

Maybe they lost their way a little bit, but no complaints, England are very comfortable.

The unique selling point of the England side is their big forwards.

For the first try, the execution was excellent. Everyone did their job.

Kevin Sinfield
Former England and Leeds captain on BBC Two

I am very happy, for large spells we played like we know we can. What is our DNA? How do we play?

We showed we are fit, dynamic and have big men in the middle who can pass the ball and create chances.

The combination of Luke Gale, Kevin Brown and Gareth Widdop has been outstanding, as has James Roby's direct, darting runs.

Jonathan Davies
Former Wales international on BBC Two

Widdop is going to play in the quarter-final next weekend. But where is most beneficial? I think it's full back. He's got great vision, a great kicking game and he's a finisher.

Paul Glover: Brown & Gale working well together, wonder why Williams was brought on. Dynamic not there

We'll be observing a two-minute silence for Remembrance Sunday at 11:00 GMT, but we'll have more reaction to that first half afterwards.

Ross Cunningham: After 3 games @Irelandrl, external bow out of #RLWC2017, external, but with their heads held high. 2 wins & the only team to put it up to PNG. Surely a 4-nations appearance can't be far away.

Yep, really tough for Ireland, who had to win their group to go through.