A 22-6 home defeat to Toulouse by a mainly young Warrington Wolves side was put into context by head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith.

He praised the talent and courage on show by a Warrington team that kept the French champions to 10-6 until the final 15 minutes.

“Our kids gave them a great game,” said Smith, who also gave some game time to experienced Super League players Matty Rusell, who went off injured, Gene Ormsby, Gary Wheeler, Roy Asotasi, Anthony England and Ben Harrison.

“For that game to be so close for so long was a real credit to our boys. Toulouse have been playing for four months but for some of our boys it was their first hit-out of the year.

“I thought they showed some real talent and were very courageous.

“We’ve put a lot of time into our junior boys in recent years and it’s coming through in really high quality.

“It was a really good exercise for French Rugby League, Toulouse and for us.”

Smith was impressed with the efforts of prop Anthony England, both in this game and off the bench against Hull KR in Sunday afternoon’s second match.

“Anthony was outstanding in both games,” said Smith of a big man who joined Wolves from Featherstone Rovers ahead of the 2014 campaign.

“He’s had a great pre-season and is playing like a Super League player, maturing.”