Danny McGuire backs Brian McDermott to inspire England despite World Cup challenge

What that means for England is that they will meet as a group for the first time under new head coach Brian McDermott when the Super League-based players arrive in Australia in October, a week or two before their World Cup opener against Tonga.

The only familiarisation sessions will be virtual, leaving the national team facing a thankless task in unforgiving surroundings.

But if any coach can galvanise a group with limited time, it is McDermott.

The former Royal Marine earned the England job after becoming Super League's most successful coach during his trophy-laden spell with Leeds Rhinos.

McDermott guided the Rhinos to four titles, including two memorable Grand Final wins from fifth place, and oversaw their 2012 World Club Challenge triumph. He won two Challenge Cups to boot.

Few know McDermott's methods better than Danny McGuire, who was at the heart of his success at Headingley.

"He was brilliant for us," said the legendary former Leeds half-back.

"He had a really good understanding of each individual and knew how to get the best out of that player. Sometimes that's an arm around the shoulder, a rollicking or saying something in front of the group to motivate you.

"The way he handled Joel Moon, for instance. He was such an amazing player but didn't like to be coached too much. Mac just let him play.

"I'm not sure how that's going to work in the international set-up because you don't get that time to build relationships and understand people.

"But he'll do a good job. He fought for his country in the services and is a really, really passionate Englishman. He'll get his players motivated.

"He's got some really good stories and methods."

Based in Australia as an assistant coach at Gold Coast Titans, McDermott has faced the media just once since taking over as England boss in April.

But that virtual press conference was enough to establish that the blunt attacking approach used in last year's Ashes whitewash would not be repeated.

Drawing on a Tyson Fury-Wladimir Klitschko boxing analogy, McDermott indicated that England would hit their World Cup rivals with something different.

"I think he'll let the boys play," added McGuire.

"He never once told me not to play what I saw. I think he'll do that with this England team.

"The only way we can be successful is to offload, move the ball and challenge the opposition.

"I think he'll have a really good plan. It's just whether the players are capable of carrying that out against the best players in the world.

"There's no getting away from the fact that it's going to be a tough challenge."

One player set to benefit from the coaching change is Rhinos half-back Jake Connor.

The enigmatic 31-year-old ended last season as Super League's Man of Steel, only to miss out on a place in Shaun Wane's Ashes squad.

There was a sense that Connor was not Wane's cup of tea but he certainly has a fan in McDermott, who has described him as a "game-breaker".

"He's a smart coach," said McGuire. "He'll know what people have been calling for over the past couple of years.

"But he'll make his own decisions. He doesn't take much notice of what people have been writing or saying. He's pretty strong with his own opinions.

"He'll pick some experience, I think. It wouldn't surprise me if Kallum (Watkins), Zak (Hardaker) and people like that were around the squad. There's a chance he'll give some exciting young players an opportunity, too."

Set against the challenge of building the togetherness and understanding required to compete at a World Cup, selecting the squad will be a cakewalk.

McGuire does not envy his old boss.

"How can you go to a World Cup with the preparation of meeting for the first time as a squad in Australia?" he said. "I think that's crazy personally.

"It's going to be really hard for them because of the preparation time and how long they have to gel.

"But I suppose if you look at it differently, there's no pressure so they can express themselves and play with the freedom that Mac will allow them.

"We've got enough talented players to go there and compete. You just have to watch Dom Young, Herbie Farnworth and the other players playing in the NRL. We've got Mikey (Lewis), Jez Litten, Jake Connor, (Jack) Farrimond – there are loads of players in this competition who can go there and do some really good things.

"We have to hope but understand that it's going to be a tough challenge for them."