England were given a scare before maintaining their 100 per cent record at the Wheelchair Rugby League World Cup with a 68-32 victory over Ireland today (Friday).

Ireland stunned the defending champions in Wollongong by racing into a 14-0 lead and were 20-4 ahead after 23 minutes, but the introduction of Leeds Rhinos’ Nathan Collins - along with Joe Coyd of London Roosters - swung the game England’s way. The holders hit back to lead 22-20 at half-time and dominated the second period.

Coach Tom Coyd opted to begin with Collins on the bench, but brought both him and Joe Coyd on after Ireland had scored two unanswered tries through Peter Johnston - who also kicked three goals - and Toby Burton-Carter.

Lewis King got England on the board moments later, but a touchdown and conversion from Oran Spain opened a 16-point gap. That was as good as it got for Ireland and Coyd, King and Rob Hawkins all crossed before the interval.

Leeds Rhinos' Nathan Collins on the attack for England during their World Cup win against Ireland. Picture by David Neilson/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Leeds Rhinos' Nathan Collins on the attack for England during their World Cup win against Ireland. Picture by David Neilson/SWpix.com.

With Leeds’ Tristan Nolfolk showing his strength through the middle, the second period was largely one-way traffic as Coyd scored three more tries, Hawkins and Mason Billington both added a couple and Jack Brown also touched down. Collins kicked nine goals from 11 attempts and Finlay O’Neill landed one.

Ireland grabbed two of the final three tries, with Joe Calcott - who is Brown’s brother - and Jack Mangan crossing and Johnston improving both. England coach Tom Coyd admitted his side were “caught on the back foot a little bit” at the start of their clash with Ireland.

He said: “The reality is they’ve played more games than us this year and I think you saw that in the way they started the game. They were more on the same page and more connected.

Leeds Rhinos' Tristan Norfolk carries the ball during England's win against Ireland. Picture by David Neilson/SWpix.com.

“The boys took longer than we’d like to adapt to it and find our own rhythm. I wasn’t concerned about the result, but was concerned about the way we were playing.”

Tuesday’s Wheelchair World Cup semi-finals will see England play Australia and Ireland take on 2022 runners-up France. The French topped their group, with an unbeaten record, following a 69-34 win against hosts Australia.

“The fact we’ve been put under some serious pressure today excites me,” Coyd added. “It hardens us for the next battle and there’s no doubt we will be better prepared for Tuesday because of the test we’ve been put through today. Bring it on, we’ll be ready for a dogfight.”

Rhinos coach James Simpson-Hill, who has come out of playing retirement for the tournament, was among the try scorers as Scotland made history with a 62-18 victory against New Zealand. It was their first win at a wheelchair World Cup.

Rhinos’ Jodie Boyd-Ward was rested for Wales’ 92-18 defeat of USA. She will win her 50th international cap against New Zealand on Monday.