sport news John Bateman defends team-mate George Williams after 'bulls***' criticism with ... trends now 'A load of bulls**t': John Bateman defends team-mate George Williams after criticism of scrum-half's form with World Cup looming England defeated a Combines Nations All Stars side 18-4 on Saturday afternoon England head coach Shaun Wane was unimpressed despite his side's victory Scrum-half George Williams has struggled for form but was on the scoresheet John Bateman defended Williams after Williams received criticism this year By Ross Heppenstall For The Daily Mail Published: 22:30 BST, 19 June 2022 | Updated: 23:19 BST, 19 June 2022 Viewcomments John Bateman has branded criticism of team-mate George Williams 'a load of bulls***' as England warmed up for the World Cup with a victory that raised more questions than answers. Shaun Wane's side will bid to lift the trophy on home soil this autumn but Saturday's 18-4 win in a mid-season international against a Combined Nations All Stars side left the head coach unimpressed. Wane said: 'The review of this game won't be great - I need certain things fixing that are unacceptable. The World Cup is not far off and the players need to take the feedback on board.' John Bateman (left) defended George Williams (right) after the scrum-half received criticism England boss Shaun Wane (above) was disappointed with his side's performance despite their win in a mid-season international Scrum-half Williams has failed to shine in Super League since joining big-spending Warrington Wolves midway through last season. But he was on the scoresheet along with Huddersfield Giants' debutant centre Jake Wardle and Wigan Warriors forward Bateman. Williams, 27, has been heavily criticised this year with Warrington way off the pace in the Super League. Yet Bateman, who won two Grand Finals at Wigan with Williams, said: 'George has had a tough year and a lot of people have been at him but - and I apologise for swearing - I think it's a load of bulls***. 'He's one of the best players on his day. It's hard sometimes when you're in a team that's not winning but George for me is the best out there. He's one of those players I'd have by my side any day of the week. England defeated a Combined Nations All Stars team 18-4 on Saturday but didn't convince Bateman scored England's third try of the game before defending Williams after the match 'Playing for England gets your confidence up. I hope they (Warrington) don't now go and win too many games but I hope George plays well. He's my mate and a team-mate too.' Wane warned that Bateman, despite his man-of-the-match performance on Saturday, was not among the players considered a certainty to face Samoa in the World Cup opener. Bateman added: 'Shaun's the coach, so he picks the side and it's totally up to him. 'I suppose everyone can do a bit more, but that's what it's all about. 'It's going to be a 24-man squad for the World Cup, it will be about those 24 playing to their best standard and that will get us over the line.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility