There were long and dark moments for Tony Smith in the aftermath of what the England coach referred to as a “disappointing” World Cup in Australia last year. He still bristles at the words “disaster” and “shambles”.

A new-look England play their first match for seven months since an ignominious semi-final exit against New Zealand in the bearpit of Brisbane, amid the non-threatening atmosphere of Stade Jean Bouin in Paris and against a badly depleted France.

For all that it should be a Saturday night stroll, Smith is aware that England must lay better foundations for tackling New Zealand and Australia in the new Four Nations series in England and France in the autumn.

Only seven of Smith’s World Cup squad have survived the cull and a clutch of new and nearly new faces are not the only changes to the England set-up, with Smith back in club coaching at Warrington Wolves and feeling revitalised. The year out preparing for the World Cup, after he had steered Leeds Rhinos to a second Super League title in 2007, was a worthwhile one but Smith is happier wearing two coaching hats. “I enjoyed not being subject to the day-in, day-out pressure for a while, but somehow it wasn’t for me,” Smith said. “I need that pressure to focus my coaching ability.

“I haven’t coached England since the World Cup. Who knows, it might not be any different to then, but I’m feeling the benefits of coaching on a weekly basis, in working on my instincts and delivery to players.”

Warrington have been the other beneficiaries of Smith’s move there in March, winning ten of 15 matches and reaching the Carnegie Challenge Cup semi-finals. Smith will be on a flight back tomorrow in time for the visit of Bradford Bulls on Sunday.

“Sure, it’s demanding, but whether you’re coaching one team or two, you still put in the same hours,” he said.

The France game is one of the first blocks in a rebuilding process towards the 2013 World Cup, which has included the establishment of an elite England squad and appointment of Barrie-Jon Mather, the former dual-code England international, as the RFL’s head of player development. As part of the process, there are newcomers in Scott Moore at hooker and Ryan Hall on the wing. Richard Myler, 19, starts at scrum half, there is a fresh centre partnership in Ryan Atkins and Michael Shenton, while Shaun Briscoe and Eorl Crabtree come in at full back and in the pack.

“The work towards the next World Cup and beyond is aimed at getting better performances from our national team at the end of the domestic season, which has been an issue for 20 years, with the odd exception.

“I’d hoped to have a bigger impact at the World Cup without changing much. I realised in Australia that wasn’t possible. Change starts now.”