Tomkins: Bennett can take us to the top

Sam Tomkins believes Wayne Bennett can make England the best national rugby league team in the world.

England have not been the world’s leading side in more than 40 years, since Great Britain won the World Cup in 1972.

“The gap between us, Australia and New Zealand is smaller than ever,” Tomkins told the BBC.

“His experience will help us. Becoming the world’s leading side is the target, 100%.

“We’ve had the potential and players to become the world’s number one side but we’ve not quite performed. Wayne Bennett is a big signing.

“He’s been proven in the NRL for a number of years. He’s got all the experience in the world so there’s no reason he can’t bring that to us and push us on.”

Tomkins applauded the work done by previous coach Steve McNamara.

“Steve McNamara has done a great job and he should be commended,” he said.

“He’s leaving the England set-up in a much better place than he found it and that’s testament to him.”