Josh Hodgson and John Bateman must step up if England are to lift World Cup

KEY MAN: John Bateman celebrates in England colours. Picture: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com.

FORMER England captain Jamie Peacock says the likes of Josh Hodgson and John Bateman need to have the “tournament of their lives” for the country to finally enjoy World Cup success again.

Although there remains concern due to the pandemic, the tournament is set to go ahead in this country in the autumn with England opening matters against Samoa on October 23.

Having gone so close in 2017, losing the final 6-0 to Australia in Brisbane under Wayne Bennett, many onlookers will hope home advantage can see them at last succeed for the first time since Great Britain prospered in 1972.

England, of course, now have former Wigan Warriors boss Shaun Wane at the helm although he is still yet to take charge of a game 12 months after being appointed as Bennett’s successor.

CUP MISSION: England's Josh Hodgson. Picture: Chris Mangnall/SWpix.com.

Ex-Leeds Rhinos prop Peacock, who was England team manager from 2016 but stepped down last year, said: “I’m quite optimistic that, by the time we get through to September, we will have crowds in there and that the World Cup will be a great opportunity for the game.

“There will have been a famine of live sport for them to watch and you’d hope that would see people really getting behind it.

“A home rugby league World Cup, too, it ticks all the boxes for making a success of things and it should be a great spectacle.

Josh Hodgson and John Bateman must step up if England are to lift World Cup – Jamie Peacock