World Cup postponement could work in England’s favour, reckons Shaun Wane

Correspondent
Shaun Wane is hoping the postponement of this year’s World Cup will give England a better chance of lifting the trophy in 12 months’ time.Shaun Wane and his men were due to open their campaign against Samoa at St James’ Park in Newcastle on October 23. But they will instead face France in Perpignan as they re-draw their preparations for next autumn.

However, far from seeing the delay due to the coronavirus pandemic as a setback, England’s head coach is determined to use the extra time to hone his side for an even stronger challenge for glory.

Wane said: “To be honest, I am the eternal optimist. The way I look at it, in the big scheme of things as a sport, it’s really disappointing for me and for many other people who had worked hard to get this World Cup on.

“But it’s not to be, the simple fact is it’s not to be and we’ve got another 12 months. So I’m going to use that 12 months to make sure my players are even better prepared for next year’s World Cup. That’s the only stoic way we can look at it.”

READ: Shaun Wane not being drawn on speculation of Wigan return

Improvements to the squad

Had the World Cup taken place as planned, some of the nation’s emerging stars – the likes of Leeds centre Harry Newman, St Helens stand-off Jack Welsby and Wigan second-row Kai Pearce-Paul – might not have made Wane’s squad. But they now stand a chance of doing so now.

Asked if the postponement has improved England’s chances, Wane said: “Absolutely. We are in good shape.

“The Super League clubs are doing a great job with these players to produce them. We just need to produce more and better players.

“We can’t sit back and pat ourselves on the back. Super League clubs, coaches, scouts, they’ve all done a great job in producing that young talent list, it’s immensely talented.

“But it can’t end. We have to double that. We have work hard and we have to get better staff, better quality, everything has to improve. That’s the mentality we must have.”

International England