Martin Offiah: Solid display will boost England ahead of next year's World Cup

18 June 2012

England coach Steve McNamara has every right to be pleased after his side’s 18-10 victory over the Exiles at the weekend.

With less than 500 days to go to the Rugby League World Cup 2013 it’s still very much a work in progress but the England team put in a solid display against a tough Exiles team – the result never looked in doubt.

The terrible weather conditions made it difficult for the purists but there was some excellent tactical kicking from the likes of Kevin Sinfield.

The three boys on debut, Carl Ablett, Josh Charnley and Lee Mossop all looked at home on the international stage. Charnely especially fitted in well and you’d like to think he will get another go in the second match up in Huddersfield on July 4.

Rob Burrows was another player that caught my eye when he came off the bench, he’s a livewire and certainly put a bit of urgency into the line when he entered the fray.

I can’t express how important this two match series against the Exiles is in England’s build up to the World Cup. Personally, I’d like to see another game added to the schedule because if we want to do well on home turf next year these matches are imperative.

No disrespect to Wales and France but they are two developing nations, whereas the likes of Australia and New Zealand have been at the top level for many years. Without playing those sides in our build up we need the next best thing and I believe that is the Exiles.

I know this concept isn’t to everyone’s liking but it is to mine and I know the England lads see the importance of it. They definitely wanted to get their revenge following the defeat last year, mind you, I do think it was a must win game – losing wasn’t an option; it could have caused lasting damage.

The game did perhaps lack the intensity of the State of Origin game down under. It may be unfair to liken it to a match that has been going since the 1980s but these comparisons are inevitable. The Australians use that encounter to pick their national side so it’s hardly surprising that it’s such a ferocious match-up.

At times on Saturday it did feel as though there was a bit of bite missing, that real cutting edge. Maybe the weather contributed to that but you know when England face Australia in their first World Cup match the blood will be pulsing through their veins and there will be some gigantic hits. That’s what I want to see in these matches, treat every game as though it’s the World Cup Final.

We’ve definitely got the talent to beat any team on our day. The pool of players Steve McNamara has to choose from is growing all the time and there is great strength in depth across the pitch.

I’m not sure Steve knows what his starting line-up would be for the opening battle against the Aussies but better to have a large pool of players to cut down from than throwing a make-shift 13 together.

Martin Offiah: Solid display will boost England ahead of next year's World Cup

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