The Rugby Football League are to form an elite training squad in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the England team.
Players get chance to bond as part of seven-point plan
The Rugby Football League are to form an elite training squad in an effort to turn around the fortunes of the England team.
The 25-30 strong elite squad forms part of a seven-point plan draw up in the wake of England's abysmal performance in last year's World Cup.
During the tournament Down Under Tony Smith's team lost twice to New Zealand and suffered a record defeat by hosts Australia.
The RFL are unable to implement a central-contract system similar to those in cricket and rugby union but the players will receive extra payments.
They will come together four times a year outside matches and have access to modern sports science and improved facilities.
The move comes following a review into England's disappointing performances during which the players themselves highlighted the need for more 'bonding'.
Poor displays
At a media briefing at the League's Red Hall headquarters on Wednesday RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis said that the players accepted the blame for their poor displays.
"They all took responsibility for their performances," he said. "There was no blame culture.
"They all said the preparation was good but they could have had more time together for bonding and getting to know each other.
"The word 'bonding' was used a lot along with a desire for more time for practising and training, particularly on defensive systems.
"A talking point has been the relationships between Leeds and St Helens players but there was no evidence whatsoever that it affected the performance of the team."
Lewis also gave his backing to head coach Tony Smith who began the World Cup with a 100% record from his first six matches in charge.
"We recognise there are certain things in the World Cup which we would have done differently," he said. "But at the time everyone felt things had been done right
"Tony was absolutely the right man for the job and still is. The poor results reflect on us all."
Intense
Smith has returned to full-time coaching in Super League with Warrington but will retain a part-time role with England.
New appointments will also be made as part of the shake up, covering player development, coach development and human performance, plus two full-time academy coaches.
RFL director of performance and coaching Jon Roberts, said the aim was to improve standards for the 2013 World Cup and beyond.
The current reserve league is set to be replaced by an Under-20 tournament in a bid to introduce a more intense competition to prepare players for the Super League.
And the RFL will draw up elite squads of 50 players at Under-18 and Under-16 level.
But Roberts, who looked at other sports including cycling and rowing before coming up with a plan his of own, warned that it could take six to eight years for the plan to start producing results.
"It's a long-term process," he warned. "It won't happen overnight because have to change the system."
