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As stated by skipper the England captain, England were handed a brutal "wake-up call" as the Kangaroos clinched the Rugby League Ashes.

Australia's 14-4 triumph at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday gave them a 2-0 series lead, making the upcoming Headingley encounter a academic contest.

The national squad had come into the series harbouring hopes of inflicting the Kangaroos to their initial series loss since the 1970s.

Over the last 24 months, they had secured a clean sweep over the Tongan side and a success over the Samoan team. But as the historic rivalry resumed after a 22-year absence, the English were failed to take the next step against the world champions.

"No excuses from us. There were enough sessions to execute properly on the field, and I don't think we've quite done that," Williams commented.

"Australia deserve praise. They proved good defensively. But we've got a lot to improve. We're probably not as good as we expected we were going into this series.

"So it's a necessary lesson for us, and we have plenty to improve on."

Australia 'Arrive and Prove Clinical'

After being comprehensively defeated in an error-strewn display at Wembley, Wane side's were markedly enhanced on Saturday back in the traditional strongholds of northern England.

During an energetic initial stages, England elicited errors from the Kangaroos and had dominant territory and possession, but crucially did not capitalize on the points tally.

Tellingly, England have now scored just a single touchdown over two full matches, with St Helens hooker the forward powering through late on in the setback in London.

On the other hand, the Kangaroos have racked up half a dozen across the series - and when blunders began to creep into the hosts' play just after the half-time, it was a case of inevitability, they were going to be made to pay.

First the playmaker scored, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being level at four-all, England were 10 points adrift.

"Satisfied for the majority of the game. In my view for 70 minutes we were competitive," said Wane.

"The switch off for 10 minutes after half-time cost us greatly. Munster's try was easy and should not be scored in a international fixture.

"We're heartbroken. So proud the squad had a dig but very frustrated with that post-interval, which cost us significantly."

While the next World Cup in the Southern Hemisphere is just under 12 months away, the team's primary concern will be on attempting to restore some pride, avoiding a series whitewash and eliminating the errors that annoyed Wane.

"I hoped to see greater effort directed toward Australia. I wanted us to apply sustained attack in the game - we didn't do that last week," added the veteran coach.

"We did this week. It's just a bit of detail in our attack where we could have put them under increased strain. We need to stop each of [tries] more effectively.

"Fair play to Australia - that is no slight to them. They perform and are clinical when they seize opportunities, and we weren't, but defensively we can and should do better.

"They will be obsessed to win all three Tests and we need to be equally determined to make it a competitive series. I've said that to the squad. It has to be our obsession. It's going to be a difficult week but the side that wants it the greatest will secure victory next week."

Competitive Edge Needs to Increase in Domestic Competition

England have participated in a similar number of international fixtures to the Kangaroos since the last World Cup in recent years.

However Wane believes that the caliber of the Australian league - and standard of the domestic rivalry matches between NSW and Queensland - provide a more effective preparation for performing at the highest level of the international game than what is on offer in the northern hemisphere.

The England coach added that the congested Super League fixture list allowed no time for him to train his squad during the season, which will only raise additional concerns around how the national team can narrow the difference to Australia before heading to the Southern Hemisphere in the next World Cup.

"The Australians participate in a lot of internationals in their league," he added.

"England have ten to fifteen a year. We need demanding games to enhance the competition and increase our chances of winning these high-stakes fixtures.

"It was impossible to even train with the squad. We never got on the field in the campaign and despite having the complete support of everyone in the domestic competition.

"I have also been in the shoes of the head coaches that need to win games. The competition is that congested. It's a pity but that's not the cause we were defeated today."