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In the words of leader the England captain, England were handed a brutal "wake-up call" as the Kangaroos clinched the coveted Ashes trophy.

Australia's 14-4 triumph at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium on the weekend gave them a unassailable 2-0 advantage, making the upcoming sold-out third Test a meaningless fixture.

Shaun Wane's side had entered the series holding aspirations of sending Australia to their initial series loss since 1970.

In the past two years, they had enjoyed a dominant victory over Tonga and a 2-0 triumph over Samoa. But as the Rugby League Ashes returned after a long break, the English were unable to advance further against the top-ranked team.

"No excuses from us. We've had enough preparations to execute properly on the field, and it's clear we've achieved that," the captain commented.

"Credit to Australia. They were good defensively. But we've got a lot to improve. We're probably not as prepared as we expected we were entering this series.

"So it's a good wake-up call for us, and we have plenty to enhance."

The Kangaroos 'Show Up and Prove Merciless'

After being soundly beaten in an mistake-ridden performance at the national stadium, Wane side's were significantly better on Saturday back in the rugby league heartlands of the North.

In a rousing first half, England elicited errors from the Australians and had dominant territory and possession, but importantly did not capitalize on the points tally.

Notably, England have now scored just one score over 160 minutes, with player Daryl Clark barging over late on in the setback in London.

Conversely, Australia have accumulated 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 certainty, they were going to be severely punished.

First the playmaker crossed, and then so too did Hudson Young. From being tied at 4-4, England were down by double digits.

"Proud for the bulk of the game. I thought for 70 minutes we were good," said Wane.

"The drop in intensity for 10 minutes after the break hurt us severely. Munster's try was soft and should never happen in a international fixture.

"We're heartbroken. Extremely pleased the players had a dig but so disappointed with that second-half lapse, which proved costly significantly."

Although the upcoming global tournament in Australia and Papua New Guinea is just under a year from now, the team's primary concern will be on attempting to salvage honor, preventing a 3-0 sweep and eradicating the mistakes that annoyed Wane.

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

"We managed this week. The issue is a minor refinements in our offense where we could have put them under greater stress. It's essential to stop each of [tries] more effectively.

"Credit to the Kangaroos - that is not a criticism to them. They arrive and are merciless when they capitalize, and we failed to be, but in defense we must do improve.

"The Australians will be determined to win 3-0 and we need to be obsessed to make it 2-1. I've told that to the squad. This must become our primary goal. It will be a tough week but the side that strives for it the most will get the win next week."

Intensity Must to Improve in Domestic Competition

England have participated in a comparable number of Test matches to the Kangaroos since the previous global tournament in recent years.

However Wane argues that the strength of the Australian league - and level of the State of Origin matches between NSW and Queensland - deliver a more effective preparation for performing at the highest level of the international game than what is available in the Europe.

The England coach noted that the hectic Super League fixture list left little opportunity for him to coach his team during the campaign, which will only raise additional concerns around how England can close the divide to the Kangaroos before travelling to Oceania in the next World Cup.

"The Australians participate in a large number of internationals in their competition," he remarked.

"We play ten to fifteen a year. We need demanding games to enhance the competition and boost our prospects of succeeding in these high-stakes fixtures.

"I couldn't even train with the players. There was no chance to got on the field in the season and despite having the full backing of all clubs in Super League.

"I understand in the shoes of the head coaches that need to win games. The league is that congested. It's unfortunate but it's not the cause we got beaten today."