England bite back, but Australia still find the answers to seal victory

DEEPER ISSUES AS WANE'S MEN STRUGGLE TO AVOID ASHES WHITEWASH

- By DAN TOMLINSON

Hudson Young savours his try for Australia

(MATT WEST/ SHUTTERSTOCK)

England were improved in the second Ashes Test against Australia but the outcome was all too familiar.

Here, the Mail runs through some talking points.

After a flat opening Test at Wembley, Shaun Wane called for more physicality and aggression from his England side.

He wanted it to look more like a proper Test match and back in the sport's heartlands, he got his wish from the very first set.

England looked fearful of Australia last week; they were nervous, but this time they got stuck into them. They were led superbly by Morgan Knowles and Matty Lees, and the crowd, buoyed by some intensity, line speed, and big contacts, responded.

It was a hostile opening to the game and England, who weren't intimidated by Australia this time around, stood their ground.

They more than matched the Green and Gold machine in the first half and to be honest, they could and should have been ahead.

Lady Luck was on Australia's side when Reece Walsh fumbled a George Williams kick, and then Dom Young, who has had a good series, went close before being taken high by Walsh - whose Wembley wonders were lost on Merseyside quicker than a Liverpool title defence.

Getting their chances, England built pressure, but all they had to show for it was two penalty goals.

Their defensive effort deserved more than that. They really should have been ahead.