England head coach Brian McDermott on preparation struggles ahead of the World Cup
England were left exhausted and with little preparation time for the start of their Rugby League World Cup campaign because of a travel schedule straight out of the film Planes, Trains and Automobiles, head coach Brian McDermott says.
England's 30-12 defeat by Tonga last Saturday has left them teetering on the brink of elimination because of the unusual format of this year's tournament.
However, the UK-based players in McDermott's squad were hardly helped by a lengthy trip to their Perth base, taking almost 48 hours.
