Shaun Wane’s first game as England Head Coach ended in defeat, as the Combined Nations All Stars edged a pulsating contest 24-22 at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Wane, taking charge of his first game a full 16 months since his appointment, had spoke about his huge excitement before the content.

But it was Tim Sheens’ All Stars who made the fast start, with Ken Sio and Peter Mata’utia crossing – in between Liam Farrell’s double – to give Tim Sheens’ side a first half lead.

Jermaine McGillvary and Sio’s second extended the lead after the break, and despite scores from debutants Morgan Knowles and Tom Davies, it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

Wane was supposed to oversee an Ashes Test series against Australia last autumn, but it was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

It meant he has had to wait more than a full calendar year to lead out his country, as the national team competed in an international fixture for the first time since 2018, but a thrilling contest ended in defeat.

England boss Wane said on Sky Sports: “Loads of positives. We played tough and had energy, but didn’t have that killer instinct in the last third.

“Lots of things we practiced, we did. Played a bit dumb at times, could have had more movements, but overall ecstatic about our efforts.

“They’re a good team, my players are brave and tough, no question about that, we just need to be a bit smarter with the ball.”

England: Sam Tomkins, Tom Davies, Ben Currie, Reece Lyne, Tommy Makinson, Stefan Ratchford, Luke Gale, Morgan Knowles, Paul McShane, Mike Cooper, John Bateman, Liam Farrell, Joe Westerman

Interchanges: Ash Handley, Daryl Clark, Mikolaj Oledzki, Joe Philbin

England Tries: Liam Farrell (x2), Morgan Knowles, Tom Davies

England Goals: Stefan Ratchford (x4)

Combined Nations All Stars: Jake Connor, Ken Sio, Peter Mata’utia, Ricky Leutele, Jermaine McGillvary, Jackson Hastings, Aidan Sezer, Matt Prior, Nathan Peats, Tevita Satae, Kenny Edwards, Kelepe Tanagnoa, Luke Yates

Interchanges: Kruise Leeming, Pauli Pauli, Suaia Matagi, Andre Savelio

All Stars Tries: Ken Sio (x2), Peter Mata’utia, Jermaine McGillvary

All Stars Goals: Aidan Sezer (x5)