Although there are a number of matches being hosted by Wales, France and Ireland, this is England’s World Cup. And I intend to use that phrase not only from an off-field perspective but in regards to their on-field fortunes as well.
The administrators and organisers of the tournament have done an enormous job in ensuring this is the best RLWC yet, building on the success of the 2008 edition in Australia.
The focus now turns to the England players and coaching staff that have spent the last four years clinically preparing with hopes to deliver their nation a World Cup.
England
RLIF World Ranking: 3
Best Result: Runner Up (1975, 1995)
2008 Finish: Semi Finalists
2013 RLWC Odds: $9
England enjoys a long history within rugby league, notably as the nation who gave birth to the greatest game of all. The national team itself however has a very disappointing record in major international tournaments having never won a World Cup.
The last success tasted by the English was when the 1975 Great Britain team won the corresponding edition of the RLWC before the home nations split and began fielding independent sides into tournaments.
The 2013 England side could go down as arguably their strongest ever.
Steve McNamara has spent four years preparing just for this particular tournament.
Since being handed the reins in 2009, McNamara has used every minute of each day planning towards England somehow managing to lift the World Cup trophy on November 30 at Old Trafford and he has put together a squad that is more than capable of making that become a reality.
Team Line Up (likely)
1. Sam Tomkins
2. Ryan Hall
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Leroy Cudjoe
5. Josh Charnley
6. Kevin Sinfield (c)
7. Gareth Widdop
8. James Graham
9. James Roby
10. George Burgess
11. Ben Westwood
12. Sean O’Loughlin
13. Sam Burgess
14. Rob Burrow
15. Gareth Hock
16. Liam Farrell
17. Tom Burgess
Squad Members: Zak Hardaker, Rangi Chase, Tom Briscoe, Lee Mossop, Chris Hill, Carl Ablett, Michael Mcllorum
The strengths of the English side are easy to spot within their enormous forward pack which is arguably the best in the competition. Packing the scrum for England will be players who possess a combination of size, skill and agility.
Although the likes of Graham, Roby and the Burgess Brothers will ensure England are more than competitive up front, they also possess some world class outside backs in Tomkins, Hall and Charnley. The one area where England appear weaker than Australia and New Zealand on paper is in the halves with Sinfield likely to be named at six and Widdop at seven.
Both these individuals are outstanding players though with Widdop playing a vital part of the Storm’s 2012 premiership assault and the captain Kevin Sinfield is the reigning Golden Boot winner which is awarded to the Best Player in the World.
Rangi Chase is the incumbent halfback and could very well keep his starting spot but I would go with Widdop. McNamara has other options available within the talented squad, such as selecting Zak Hardaker at fullback and moving Tomkins into the halves if he wants his star to be heavily involved in attack.
One to Watch
While most Australian rugby league fans are well aware of the quality that James Graham and the Burgess trio possess, the key player in this World Cup for England is going to be Sam Tomkins.
There is a reason why the New Zealand Warriors have paid a record transfer fee for his services and I believe the performance of Tomkins during the tournament will determine how far England will progress.
He is the most talented member of the backline and really needs to showcase his ability on the world stage. Whether Sam plays fullback or in the halves, the more he gets involved the better England will go.
Group A Fixtures and Opponents
Vs Australia @ Millennium Stadium, Cardiff. Kick Off – Sun 27th Oct 12:30am AEDT
Vs Ireland @ John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield. Kick Off – Sun third Nov 1:30am AEDT
Vs Fiji @ The KC Stadium, Hull Kick Off – Sun 10th Nov 1:30am AEDT
Key Match
The match against Australia will no doubt set the tone for the World Cup from a number of different perspectives. Every little plan that England have conjured up for this tournament will be built up in anticipation for this particular match.
If England can gain a victory over the Kangaroos, it will not only build confidence right through the squad but it will also ensure the English public will provide an enormous amount of support for the team during the rest of the tournament which the group can feed off and gain further momentum.
RLWC 2013 Prospects
If England are going to break their World Cup drought, then this is their best chance yet.
The side contains youthful and experienced personnel who are at the peak of their powers. The coach has spent the last four years focussing on this particular tournament and the moment has now arrived to claim World Cup glory.
Australia all of a sudden seem beatable and England have an amazing record against the defending champions in New Zealand having not lost a match on home soil against the Kiwis since 2000.
Throw in the home crowd factor which will no doubt act as an 18th man for the hosts and the $9 on offer for punters presents great value.
No current player has lifted more trophies over the last decade than Kevin Sinfield and there is a very real possibility that he could be lifting one more trophy this year.
Glenn Innis
Guest
They didn't struggle over there in 2005 when they won the tri nations 24 - 0 over Australia at leeds.
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
I reckon England will account for the Kiwi's, who seem to struggle in the Old Dart. If they can beat Australia or at least go very close in the opener then it will make for a very interesting contest. England have a terrific forward pack and if they can bog Australia down in the trenches, then I think they stand a reasonable chance of beating them,
Glenn Innis
Guest
Lots of people on this site are talking up England but Australia will be keen to regain the cup they will be up for this tournament- honestly for the sake of the tournament and the international game I hope I am wrong but I think we will blow them off the park. If all this talk about Australia looking average and England outmuscling them up front etc transfers to the betting market The Kangaroos may end up the best investment opportunity since the Com Bank tanked at the start of the GFC.
Glenn Innis
Guest
England have never won a World Cup, well I suppose if you want to be hyperpedantic they haven't but Great Britain have won three World Cup 1954 , 1960 and 1972.
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
I reckon the Watkins-Charnley combination is a massive key for England. There's enough speed and talent there to cause huge problems for any side, but they're also both relatively untested at this level. In the WCC a few years ago Watkins completely outplayed Steve Matai (one of the best centres in the NRL, who is very rarely so comprehensively beaten) so I've got no doubt about his talent. The big question mark is obviously the other centre spot - I'm not confident in either Hardaker (who is a fullback) or Cudjoe (who is average, and plays on the right side usually).
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
The coach seems to be keen on building a side that can match the fitness/intensity of the NRL. Wigan aren't the most talented, man for man, in Super League, but they are the fittest and best structured and have the most big game experience - that's why a few of their guys were able to sneak in for the 50/50 calls. Though he doesn't have the big game experience, I also think that's why big Tom beat Crabtree - experience in NRL intensity. The Poms have repeatedly failed to play for 80 minutes against Australia, so having a core of those fit, hardened guys to push things along in training and in games is important. ...that said, Crabtree was very impressive in the England-Australia Test at Wigan a few years ago...Another Huddersfield bloke who impressed against Australia a few years ago was Luke Robinson, but it seems Burrow has long been McNamara's preferred option there (probably for the big match reasons discussed above).
Ghost Crayfish
Roar Pro
I think Widdop would thrive with a bit more responsibility. At Melbourne he had to stand by and watch on as Smith/Cronk totally dominated their attack. Besides, I'd guess WIddop in the 7 would just be the number on his back - Sinfield will be the side's dominant playmaker/organiser, with Widdop and Tomkins linking up alongside him (similar to how Widdop combines with Cronk and Slater at Melbourne, but possibly with more scope to get involved). Halves are split these days anyway, so we'd see Sinfield on the right and either Widdop or Chase on the left. Sean O'Loughlin and James Graham will also play as link men around the ruck.
nopuritan
Guest
go the Kumuls
Ra
Guest
the Poms have a great team, are being prepped well, have a top coach and will be ready to play at home. I wont wish them luck though
Yorkie
Guest
England will compete and there forward pack is equal if not better than the aussie pack. The Burgress boys / roby / mossop / oloughlin / graham have the measure of the aussies. The problem is in the backs - we have a world class fullback and winger in hall and tomkins and widdop is more than a match for cronk but thats as good as it gets. Charnley on the wing is untested and I am not convinced he is much better than a good player on his best day. The centers are woeful compared to the aussie options and sinfield is to old - my 19 months old has more pace than him and could tackle better!! Sinfield is a good kicker and can pass a ball nothing more hence why he has never left Leeds and never stepped up on the international stage. He and the centers are the weak spots and the aussies will walk through them - god help us is McBanna picks Chase over Widdop!! Look for some massive hits by our forwards and some tremenous battles in the middle of the park - but it's the outside backs that will fail us
Daniel
Guest
The Tongans may be a little under-strength in the halves, but the rest of the team is packed with sensational players. I'd back them against any team outside the top three.
rob hayes
Guest
England's supreme rudder is kev Sinfield. Leeds would never have one the grand final so often in rece nt years without him. When Burrow ( no s guys )combines with him at dummy half they can cause any side problems.
JimC
Guest
Halfback is McNamara's problem because he hasn't picked the right ones. No way Chase should be in. Myler, Matt Smith are better.
JimC
Guest
Tendency! It's a sure thing. I'd support Iran against the Kangaroos, it's that simple.
Chui
Guest
I meant more that a few of the Australians haven't played for some time. More a question of whether the Super League finalists make up the majority of the national side
Renegade
Guest
Scott, Sinfield has actually been playing at 6 and 7 for the Rhinos this year and played five-eighth in England's most recent internationals. Danny Brough was the best player in super league in 2013 and has pldeged his allegiance to Scotland. Halfback is the biggest dilemma for McNamara.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Rene, You have got the key 6 and 7 wrong. Sadly the poms best 7 is Danny Brough and after a blow up with the coach he spat his dummy and will now run out for the Scots, which means England will be rudderless, as per usual. I think the lock will be Kev Sinfield. At 33 he is too slow to be a half at this level and the midget Rob Burrow or ring in Rangi Chase will be the 7. If Widdopp plays it will be at 6 or not at all. Not sure Kallum Watkins will be fit to play.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
I can't believe they picked Tom Burgess over big Eorl Crabtree! Sure Tom Burgess has some talent and a lot of potential, but he didn't take the NRL by storm like his brother George did. I don't know what Crabtree's current form is like, but I do know that he has been one of England's better performers in every game I've seen him play. I also know that you don't drop a 13 test veteran for a rookie who's form has been solid at best.
eagleJack
Guest
Col I think you are overstating the quality of play in the SL. Don't get me wrong I enjoy watching it. But it is still, on the whole, a retirement village for older or unwanted NRL players. Only the best of the best English players are picked up to compete in the NRL. And yes we do see some unwanted Aussies head over there only to return and do very well in the NRL again (Hoffman is a great recent example). But lets not pretend it is the norm.
Dan
Guest
Mate, apart from that not being an accurate reflection of what's happening (which Super League players are dominating the NRL? Burgess bros have been good, but hardly dominated... Not SBW in any case) it still doesn't change the fact that hard any poms seem to care...