What now? England look to the future after latest Rugby League World Cup heartache

[josie andrews]

For many of Shaun Wane's squad, their final World Cup is now finished.

The devastation surrounding England's defeat on Saturday still lingers. What many had hoped would be the start of a massive week for Shaun Wane's squad is instead the beginning of an inquest into what went wrong.

But as the dust settles attention must turn to 2025 and the next World Cup. As it stands, the path to France is unclear and uncertain. In three years' time, Wane's squad will have a much different look to it. Of his 24-man squad for this tournament, nine are 31 or older.

Captain Sam Tomkins, who will be 36 by the next tournament, heads a list of players highly likely to have moved on by then. Elliott Whitehead, Chris Hill, Mike Cooper, Ryan Hall and Micky McIlorum appear all but certain to be off the scene by then. There are even doubts about Tommy Makinson, Kallum Watkins and Marc Sneyd, who will all be 34 by the next World Cup.

It leaves Wane with a decision to make, to use the next three years to prepare for 2025 or to continue with some of the aforementioned players if they remain the best possible option. England are planning to host a Test series next year, with New Zealand already declaring interest in being their opposition. The RFL hope to do the same again the year after, potentially against Australia. Taking on world class opposition regularly is what England needs and hosting two powerhouse nations would deliver just that, but Wane may have to decide whether to chase results or have a bigger-picture approach.

England has talent coming through. Jack Welsby, Dom Young, Herbie Farnworth and Victor Radley will be entering their prime in three years which gives England a solid foundation to build. Kai Pearce-Paul should be a nailed-on starter by then too. Wane, you suspect, will already have his eye on the likes of Lewis Dodd, Morgan Smithies, Mikey Lewis, Lewis Murphy and Morgan Gannon as players with England futures ahead of them. There is the making of an exciting squad but knowing when and how to put them together is the challenge.

Wane is a meticulous planner and the feeling across the World Cup is that England had the best preparation of all nations. That's a testament to him and soon he will have his focus on 2025. But he loves winning too. Putting such a young squad together now would have to come with managed expectations. That's not easy to accept, not in an international Test series.

The semi-final loss re-emphasised that the smallest margins decide games, even more at such a level. England already know that all too well after heartache in 2013 and 2017. Having that experience in those games is key and the only way you can do that is by playing in those environments. England's best players against Samoa were the battle-hardened international players. By comparison, Welsby and Young had their worst games of the tournament. It probably shouldn't come as a surprise.

What's pivotal is that England don't become an afterthought or considered an inconvenience by clubs again. There was a buy-in this year but not so much before that. The more contact time Wane has with the group, the better England's chances will be. Regular training sessions are necessary and mid-season fixtures and Autumn tests are a must.

Then it's down to Wane to get the planning right. Such a big turnover in players brings a challenge, a difficult one it should be said. But it also offers opportunity.

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... e-25511555

[First Try Tickle]

England's best players against Samoa were the battle-hardened international players. By comparison, Welsby and Young had their worst games of the tournament. It probably shouldn't come as a surprise.

Not sure that battle hardened players like Sam, Watkins and Micky Mac had the best games either.

In fact, think there was only big nose in the backs that had a decent game.

The 'jobs for the boys' quote was used quite a bit on the way out of the ground, hopefully if Wane stays on, he will let his favorites go.

[the pieman]

this may sound harsh, but for the next international(s) anyone who is unlikely to feature for the next world cup shouldnt be picked, and i think you could see on some of their faces after the loss yesterday that they knew. Tomkins and Whitehead especially looked absolutely gutted after the match. I was gutted for Whitehead as i thought he's had a cracking tournament and ran himself into the ground yesterday

re moving forwards we have a lot of potential and i think you'll probably see
Backs
Welsby at FB, Young and Makinson (assuming he will be available for 3 years time), Farnworth and Wardle / King at centre, Williams, Dodds, Smith for HB
Forwards Thomson, Lees, Oledzski, Havard, Byrne
KPP, Batchelor, Knowles, Smithies, Radley, Sutton

i appreciate there are a couple who played for Ireland in the above too so may not count

if we get to play NZ next season in a test series that should be a cracker, and hopefully the RFL will market the game accordingly

[Caboosegg]

England's best players against Samoa were the battle-hardened international players. By comparison, Welsby and Young had their worst games of the tournament. It probably shouldn't come as a surprise.

Not sure that battle hardened players like Sam, Watkins and Micky Mac had the best games either.

In fact, think there was only big nose in the backs that had a decent game.

The 'jobs for the boys' quote was used quite a bit on the way out of the ground, hopefully if Wane stays on, he will let his favorites go.

Jobs for boys used by the same people who would bang on about Wane ball.

Watkins... job for boys? Wane played the side that thrashed Samao any coach would do the same. Ackers is unproven at international level and micky Mac did fine .

Dom Young and Victory Radley both made extremely costly errors but I guess as they are NRL players the job for boys brigade won't focus to much on that.

[moto748]

Is Byrne eligible? He's playing for Ireland now.

[moto748]

TBF, Radley and Young were probably England's best performers in the comp overall.

[josie andrews]

How England could look in 2025 with bulk of squad staying same amongst emerging talent

England have three years to prepare for ths next World Cup in France.

England’s World Cup campaign is over and as the post-mortem continues, focus will switch to what’s next and the 2025 tournament in France.

Luckily, the core of the side should be the same as the national team look to build over the next three years. Players like Victor Radley and Herbie Farnworth will be mainstays of the side for the next decade, with the likes of Dom Young, Tom Burgess and George Williams in the fold. There’s also players that were injured this year to consider, and perhaps one or two from the current Knights set up as well.

Until then, it’s vitally important that the international calendar remains strong in order for England to progress. On that front, a test series against New Zealand is being considered for 2023 with another against Australia the year after. The more experience this England side can get against top quality opposition the better prepared they’ll be for the big moments in the future. With that in mind, here’s how they could line up in three years time.

Fullback: Jack Welsby | Age in 2025: 24

Welsby played this tournament at stand off, covering St Helens team-mate Jonny Lomax, but with no Sam Tomkins, he could be back to his favoured fullback position for 2025 with more experience and more maturity in his locker.

Wing: Dom Young | Age in 2025: 24

The winger has pace to burn and lit up the tournament in the early stages. Like many, he saved his worst performance for when it mattered most, and like many, he will learn from it and get better. Young is going in this team for years to come. Get behind him.

Centre: Mark Percival | Age in 2025: 31

The St Helens centre missed the tournament due to injury but when fit and firing he remains one of the best for the role. He’ll be 31 in 2025 and will still have plenty to give.

Centre: Herbie Farnworth | Age in 2025: 25

The Brisbane Broncos centre was excellent throughout the World Cup. He scored two tries against Samoa and looked the part on the left edge. He’ll be in the England fold for a long time.

Wing: Ash Handley | Age in 2025: 29

The Leeds winger is one of the best in Super League. With pace and power, he could be a shoe in on the left wing given that Ryan Hall will likely be retired and Tommy Makinson will be in the twilight of his career.

Halfback: George Williams | Age in 2025: 31

Williams was back to his best for England this tournament. He might have had his troubles at Warrington but that says more about them than the player. One of the first names on the team sheet and rightly so.

Halfback: Lewis Dodd | Age in 2025: 23

A season ending injury at Easter meant Dodd’s England push was over but if on the field there’s every belief he would have been included in the squad. The St Helens youngster is a star and has a massive career ahead of him.

Prop: Tom Burgess | Age in 2025: 33

The last remaining Burgess brother, Tom was outstanding at the World Cup. At just 30-years-old, he’s got another tournament in him yet. England need him. He’s a brilliant player.

Hooker: Kruise Leeming | Age in 2025: 30

Perhaps the area where England got it wrong, Leeming is one of the best nines in Super League and would provide the side with a genuine attacking threat.

Prop: Luke Thompson | Age in 2025: 30

Thompson had personal issues this year and to get back for the tournament was an achievement in itself. In three years times he’ll be back to his best and flying, there’s no doubt about that.

Backrow: John Bateman | Age in 2025: 32

Bateman has been around for years now but he’s still the right side of 30 and has another tournament in him. With rumours of a return to the NRL, his future may have been an unwelcome distraction over the last few weeks.

Backrow: Mike McMeeken | Age in 2025: 31

Elliot Whitehead is an England legend, but he’ll be 36 in 2025 and will have likely passed the torch on. Mick McMeeken will be challenged to step into the role. He’s got plenty of miles left in him yet.

Loose Forward: Victor Radley | Age in 2025: 27

Victor the Inflictor. The passion Radley showed in an England shirt was as good as any. He should be part of this team now for the next decade.

Interchange 1: Matty Lees | Age in 2025: 27

The St Helens star is a baby really in prop years. He had his moments this year but he’ll be more seasoned in 2025 and that can only be a good thing for England.

Interchange 2: Morgan Knowles | Age in 2025: 29

As above really. Knowles has got better and better for St Helens. England need that to continue.

Interchange 3: Micolaj Oledzki | Age in 2025: 27

Unlucky not to play more minutes but with Chris Hill likely to have retired by 2025, Oledzki could take the mantle. He’s got plenty of time on his side. He just needs to keep improving and cement his place.

Interchange 4: Andy Ackers | Age in 2025: 29

England perhaps needed another nine on the bench against Samoa. It’s a big call to only have the one in the modern game and Radley isn’t someone you want to move from loose forward at the best of times. He’s too good and too important to the sides shape and structure.

Squad fillers

Tommy Makinson, Harry Newman, Jake Trueman, Morgan Smithies, Kai Pearce-Paul, Ethan Havard, Matty English

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/ru ... 5-25513215

[josie andrews]

Squad fillers

Tommy Makinson, Harry Newman, Jake Trueman, Morgan Smithies, Kai Pearce-Paul, Ethan Havard, Matty English[/b]

Im hoping that those 3 are in the team & not just classed as "squad fillers"

[the pieman]

Squad fillers

Tommy Makinson, Harry Newman, Jake Trueman, Morgan Smithies, Kai Pearce-Paul, Ethan Havard, Matty English[/b]

Im hoping that those 3 are in the team & not just classed as "squad fillers"

i laughed when i saw Makinson as squad filler, most likely still 1st choice winger if he continues to play as he is doing with Dom Young on the other wing

Percival / Handley as wing partnership, not really going to do it at international if they cant stay fit through a SL season, so whoever wrote the article could probably do with a major rethink there

I think the 2nd row on current form looks weak, but thats probably cos we've looked so strong in our pack for several years and the current Bateman / McMeeken feels weaker than we've been used to, but i'm pretty sure we will develop some good 2nd rows at Wigan, Saints or Leeds to fill them gaps.