Taylor: England will find it really tough

FORMER England prop Scott Taylor has hit out at the lack of preparation for the national side ahead of this year’s World Cup - especially with the tough format of the tournament and importance of the first game against Tonga.

- By DAN TOMLINSON

England play the Tongans in Perth in what, pending results elsewhere, could be a do or die game for a semifinal spot.

And they'll go into that clash with no mid-season Test, with the RFL admitting in a media briefing last November that there was ‘no space’ on the domestic calendar for it.

The lack of preparation puts England, and Shaun Wane, up against it, with the side set to meet in a handful of training camps throughout the year.

That reality has come in for criticism, especially after an Ashes series that England lost 3-0 on home soil.

Furthermore, Wane's position as head coach is currently under review, affecting further preparation for the tournament.

“There should have been something in place this year for those lads to be able to play with or against each other,” Taylor, speaking to the Mail, said.

“England need a Test match and a chance to play during the season before the World Cup.

“The fact there are no breaks for internationals and no games, there’s just a couple of squad meetups, it's going to be really tough.