COACH Tony Smith wants to emulate the England Rugby Union team's historic World Cup win in 2003.

To do this, his team must display the same kind of steel and belief shown by Clive Woodward's men to defeat host nation Australia.

These two elements are vital according to Mike Ford, the current England RU defence coach who previously enjoyed a successful league career.

Ford, who hails from Oldham, is looking forward to watching the World Cup and is optimistic about England's chances under Smith.

"I feel this is the best chance England have had for some time to be successful at international level," he said.

"They have my full support and when England won the Rugby Union World Cup the belief among the players was so very strong. They had been together for some time and had worked towards this.

"There is no reason why England shouldn't do well and I'm sure Tony Smith's experience of Australia will be beneficial.

"You would expect England to make the final, anything less would be disappointing. If they reach the final anything can happen.

"Belief is so important at this level. The England lads must put up the shutters to all the talk that they haven't won in Australia for so long.

"This factor is irrelevant, let's say they are unbeaten as yet in Australia under Tony Smith.

"Winning the World Cup would be a great boost for the game and a real fillip for the country.

"I wish all the lads in the squad well, they have the ability and the class.

"There is no longer a gaping gulf between the Super League and the NRL in Australia.

Challenge

"We've seen the English clubs do well in world club challenge matches. All the teams in Super League can now compete and are so strong. Castleford may have finished at the foot of the table but they beat both Saints and Leeds. Expanding Super League to 14 teams will further increase selection options.

"Tony Smith has had a year to prepare but the England players can go into it with a lot of confidence knowing they can compete.

"This is where the belief comes in. When England won the Rugby Union World Cup, the team had won matches ahead of the tournament and returned to Australia knowing they could succeed again.

"I really do think England can go well this time and Tony Smith will certainly have his players thoroughly prepared."

Meanwhile, Steve Simms, Salford's Australian football director believes good fortune will have a big bearing on who wins the World Cup.

He says: "If England can stay injury-free they have a good chance of going all the way.

"It's all about winning early on, boosting confidence and progressing but you have to try and stay injury-free.

"The gap between Super League and the NRL has definitely closed.

"Pressure is not a factor for the Australians because they are always going to be the favourites, this is something they are used to but England certainly have the quality.

"Having said that, Australia have plenty quality. Darren Lockyer is still up there with the best then you have Cameron Smith, Greg Englis and Israel Falou.

"The strength of the Australian team is seen by the fact that a player of Billy Slater's class cannot be guaranteed a start.

"I'm sure we're going to see a lot of top-class action. I rate Tony Smith and he's a very hard-working coach, he will have prepared his team well and it could well come down to an Ashes battle."

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