England coach Shaun Wane will make the most of an extra 12 months to prepare his side for the World Cup.
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Speaking after the revised schedule was announced for 2022, Wane says the tournament delay will enable him to spend more time with the elite players, both in Super League and the NRL.
That wil include heading to Australia to hold face-to-face meetings with his NRL-based players, such as Oliver Gildart, Tom Burgess, Luke Thompson, Josh Hodgson and Elliott Whitehead.
"We do zooms and I watch all the games but I'm going to go over there when the games start," he added.
"I'll make time for them because they've been neglected. My job is to make sure they're up to speed, that they know what I'm about and what the England system is about so they hit the ground running when they get over."
"It was unfortunate [the postponement] - we were geared up for it to go ahead - but, on the positive side, it has given me another 12 months to work with a very talented group of players," he said.
"What I will do this year is have as much contact time with the players as the Super League clubs will allow.
"The majority have been great, they know the need for us to have a successful World Cup campaign.
"I think the players enjoyed the time in camp ahead of the French game."
Wane blooded eight uncapped players in October's Test match against France in Perpignan and, although the World Cup delay has denied him the chance to work with St Helens hooker James Roby, who has retired from the international game, he is delighted with the rising stars coming through.
"Danny Walker and Connor Wrench travelled with us to France and Matty Lees is also ready to step up," he said.
"We are getting more players putting their hands up for selection and players like Mikey Lewis and Will Pryce will have another year of maturity and they will be more physically ready."
Wane is hoping for an increase in the intensity of matches in Super League in 2022 which he says is crucial to England's chances of success.
"The standard was great last year but it has to get better," he said. "If I was still coaching in Super League, I'd want more intense games, less penalties, more set for set which is going to prepare us for international rugby league.
"That's what we got last year but I'm never satisfied, I always want a bit more."
Wane will have a mid-season game on the weekend of June 18-19, which is expected to be against the Combined All Stars, and hopes to firm up plans to play Fiji ahead of England's opening World Cup game against Samoa on October 15.
"Whether it's the All Stars or the French or one of the home nations, I am happy," Wane said.
"I'm not bothered who we play as long as it's as intense as the French game."
Wane says the decision of Super League to bring forward the date of the Grand Final by a week to September 24 will be helpful to his preparations.
Australian Associated Press