England’s first session of the year boosted by Gareth Southgate guest appearance
England’s get-together earlier this week was boosted by the guest appearance from national football manager Gareth Southgate.
Shaun Wane’s squad met up for the first time this year on Monday in preparation of the Rugby League World Cup.
England were forced to cancel their first planned session of the year earlier in March due to an injury crisis. The training session was set to be held at Leeds’ Headingley Stadium.
However, the squad managed to meet earlier this week in Manchester at a hotel.
One player who attended was St Helens winger Tommy Makinson. The 30-year-old was included in Wane’s first training squad of the year announced earlier in March.
Makinson on Gareth Southgate and England
“We were together Monday night and it was fantastic,” said Makinson.
“We didn’t have a session but we had a bit of a get-together. It was brilliant.
“Obviously it was headed up by Shaun Wane and Gareth Southgate came in, the England national team manager. It was fantastic. We spoke about everything at the end of the year, England’s preparations, the football team and what our preparations are going forward. It was really good.
“I think all the lads getting together whenever we can is class. We’ve got so many good players in this country and in Australia as well. It’s building up to be an exciting one. We know we’ve got that mid-season test as well.
“I keep saying it, but it’s a really exciting time to be an English lad at the minute. There’s so many good players coming through and so many people pushing each other and we know what the end goal is as well.
“But everyone is concentrating on their club form because ultimately playing for your club will get you picked for England.”
Ahead of the tournament, England face Combined Nations All Stars later this year in June before a test against Fiji at Rochdale.
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