ENGLAND CAN DO SOMETHING VERY SPECIAL
Bateman backs Wane’s men to shine at the World Cup
JOHN BATEMAN believes England can do something “very special” at the World Cup – even if he is not guaranteed to feature.
The abrasive Wigan back-row was man of the match as Shaun Wane’s side eased to victory over the Combined Nations All Stars.
Bateman, who debuted for England in 2015, switched to looseforward and gave an all-action display. He scored one try, created another for George Williams with an impressive midfield surge and put in some big defensive hits.
St Helens’ Morgan Knowles, missing here through injury, is tipped to be England’s No.13 for their World Cup opener against Samoa at Newcastle on October 15.
But Bateman showed he could be the man to fill that crucial looseforward role. Wane has high expectations and said afterwards he is not even sure if Bateman is one of only three or four players nailed-on for a start.
Still, the Yorkshireman, who played centre in the 2017 World Cup final, said: “I do enjoy playing No.13. You can get your hands on the ball, you’re in the mix and you touch it a lot more.
“I enjoy being around that middle, especially in games like that. It’s back and forth which is probably my game as well. I love being in the arm wrestle and the thick of it.”
And he relished having his no-nonsense ex-Wigan team-mate Michael McIlorum (above) pulling the strings at hooker.
The Catalans star, 34, made his first England appearance since 2013 and Bateman (top, going over) said: “I think he’s got even harder and tougher.
“He’s one of those players who when you are beside him he gives you that confidence.
“You don’t get many players like that – Micky’s aggressive, he’s nasty with it and that’s what you want.
There’s no point standing off teams.”
They are the sort of attributes Wane feels will be needed to finally bring the World Cup home for the first time in 50 years.
His decision to back out-of-sorts Williams paid off with the Warrington scrum-half delivering a brilliant kicking game.
Huddersfield centre Jake Wardle scored a debut try
on 11 minutes, while Ellery Hanley’s side’s consolation came from Ken Sio. England do not play again until their final warm-up against Fiji in October.
But Bateman said: “We’ve taken good steps forward. This World Cup will be massive for us.
“On home soil, we have a great opportunity to make something very special and everyone should be looking forward to it.”
England’s Wheelchair side beat France 62-48 yesterday.
Wales’ first game in nearly four years ended with a 34-10 defeat to France in Albi.