PEACOCK Test series a No.1 chance to stand out

THE right to be the dominant team in world rugby league is wide open – and England and New Zealand have the chance to stake a claim for that title in the upcoming series.

And it’s an opportunity for a group of new faces in the England squad to make an impression, as there are so many players missing from last year’s World Cup squad.

That provides plenty of chances for other players to pull on an England shirt and impress.

We saw some of those in last week’s win over France. Tom Johnstone (above) came in and stood out with a hat-trick, and forwards Oliver Holmes, Robbie Mulhern and Luke Thompson (below) all impressed.

Holmes and Mulhern are now on their way to Papua New Guinea with the

England Knights, but others could step up against a New Zealand side that presents a formidable challenge.

We’ve seen the impact that coach Michael Maguire has had on the Kiwis from the team that got knocked out in the quarter-finals of the

World Cup.

They beat the reigning champions Australia and that’s a major statement of intent from them.

The danger man is always Shaun Johnson – he has the ability create something out of nothing, and he’s provided heartbreak for English teams in the past, not least in the 2013 World Cup semi-final at Wembley.

For England it will all be about highpercentage completions, control, and a good kicking game.

It should be a fantastic series and I’d urge anybody to get themselves a ticket to the games at the KC Stadium, Anfield and Elland Road over the next three weekends.

It’s a great time for international rugby league with Tonga continuing to develop, but the only frustration is not knowing exactly what’s happening for the next couple of years.

The planned Lions tour next year would be fantastic for our sport, but nobody knows what is happening with it.

Fans, players, coaches, the media – all the legitimate stakeholders in the game – need to know what’s going on.