Pryce cool over conditions

Pryce: Ready to face the heat

That's what the World Cup is all about - playing in different environments, in different stadiums against different players that you may never have played against

Leon Pryce
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Leon Pryce insists England are ready to fire in the heat of battle as they prepare to deal with tough conditions at the World Cup.

The St Helens stand-off flew out with the rest of the squad on Monday ahead of the start of the tournament Down Under on October 25.

England kick things off against Papua New Guinea in Townsville and although the game will take place during the evening, temperatures are still expected to be high.

However, Pryce insists that the weather will not be used as an excuse if they do not produce the goods against the Kumuls in a tough opening fixture.

Sticky

"Obviously it's going to be hard," he told Sky Sports News before boarding the plane. "It's going to be humid, hot and sticky. But you've just got to get on with it.

"We play in some very hot conditions in this country now, in the midst of summer if you can call it that.

"That's what the World Cup is all about - playing in different environments, in different stadiums against different players that you may never have played against."

England have left home soil with high hopes of bringing the trophy back from Australia as the World Cup returns to the international schedule for the first time in eight years.

Coach Smith oversaw Great Britain's series sweep of New Zealand last year and since taking charge of England has managed wins over France and Wales.

Belief

Gareth Ellis, who will not travel home with the rest of the squad after the competition as he is joining NRL outfit Wests Tigers, believes the run of good results has helped breed confidence - and not just at senior level.

Ellis said: "Obviously the success that Great Britain had last year against the Kiwis (has helped)," he said.

"A lot of the younger England teams have come through with that belief. They've beaten the Aussie schoolboys and some of those players are now in first teams.

"There is a belief and we need to keep that if we are going to play well in the tournament."