SHAUN Wane has called on rugby league’s bosses to help make sure England are not left apart from the world’s powerhouses.
Next month’s Test opponents Tonga and World Cup finalists Samoa lead the rise of new nations to challenge the traditional trio including Australia and New Zealand.
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But while they, along with Fiji and Papua New Guinea, have competition on their doorstep, England must either travel or get countries to trek 10,000 miles to get the standard of opposition needed.
France were whacked 64-0 in April as a mid-season international which will be repeated got started. Wales, Scotland and Ireland are also well behind while Italy are made up almost exclusively of ex-pats.
And England boss Wane wants action to bring up the level of local competition, meaning more regular exposure to the required standard.
He said: “Absolutely there’s work to do.
“I’d love to have Test series against France, Wales and Scotland but we’re a long way off that.
“We need to address it. We need to find a way and get participation up. We can’t go along wondering what would happen, we need to make things happen.