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In the words of captain George Williams, the national team were given a brutal "wake-up call" as Australia clinched the coveted Ashes trophy.

Australia's 14-4 victory at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making the upcoming sold-out third Test a dead rubber.

Shaun Wane's side had entered the series harbouring hopes of inflicting the Kangaroos to their initial series loss since 1970.

In the past two years, they had secured a dominant victory over Tonga and a series win over the Samoan team. But as the Rugby League Ashes resumed after a 22-year absence, England were failed to take the next step against the reigning title holders.

"We're not making excuses. We've had enough preparations to get it right on the field, and I don't think we've managed that," Williams told.

"Credit to Australia. They proved good in defense. But there's a lot to address. We're probably not as prepared as we believed we were going into this series.

"This serves as a valuable lesson for us, and [there is] loads to develop."

The Kangaroos 'Turn Up and Are Merciless'

Having been comprehensively defeated in an error-strewn display at the national stadium, England's were significantly better on Saturday back in the rugby league heartlands of northern England.

In a rousing first half, England caused turnovers from the Kangaroos and had all the field position and ball control, but importantly did not make it count on the scoreboard.

Significantly, the English team have now scored just one score over the series so far, with St Helens hooker the forward powering through late on in the defeat in the capital.

In contrast, Australia have accumulated half a dozen in two games - and when blunders began to appear in the hosts' play just after the interval, it was a case of when, not if, they were going to be severely punished.

First the playmaker went over, and then so too did the forward. From being tied at 4-4, England were 10 points adrift.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. In my view for most of the match we were good," said the coach.

"The drop in intensity for 10 minutes after the break hurt us immensely. The first try was soft and should never happen in a Test match.

"We're devastated. Extremely pleased the squad had a fight but so disappointed with that second-half lapse, which proved costly heavily."

Although the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under 12 months away, the team's primary concern will be on trying to regain respect, avoiding a 3-0 sweep and addressing the issues that frustrated the coach.

"I wanted to see greater effort thrown at Australia. My aim was us to apply sustained attack in the game - we fell short last week," added the veteran coach.

"We managed this week. The issue is a bit of detail in our attack where we could have applied under increased strain. It's essential to stop each of [tries] more effectively.

"Credit to the Kangaroos - that is not a criticism to them. They perform and are clinical when they capitalize, and we weren't, but defensively we must do better.

"The Australians will be focused to win 3-0 and we need to be obsessed to make it 2-1. I've told that to the players. This must become our obsession. It's going to be a difficult week but whoever desires it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Intensity Needs to Increase in Domestic Competition

The English side have participated in a similar number of international fixtures to Australia since the last World Cup in 2022.

Yet Wane thinks that the caliber of the NRL - and quality of the State of Origin matches between New South Wales and QLD - deliver a more effective foundation for competing at the top of the international game than what is available in the northern hemisphere.

The England coach noted that the hectic Super League calendar left no time for him to work with his team during the campaign, which will only raise further questions around how the national team can narrow the difference to Australia before heading to Oceania in 2026.

"They play a large number of internationals in their league," he stated.

"England play ten to fifteen a year. It's crucial really intense games to boost the competition and improve our prospects of succeeding in these high-stakes fixtures.

"I couldn't even train with the squad. We never got on the field in the season and despite having the full backing of all clubs in Super League.

"I have also been in the shoes of the head coaches that must to win games. The competition is that packed. It's a pity but that's not the cause we got beaten today."