McNamara hails his invaluable aide Smith

NEW England coach Steve McNamara will explore all avenues in his attempt to deliver the country's first World Cup success in 41 years – including spending valuable time deep inside enemy territory.

McNamara outlined his plans yesterday after being handed the reins until the end of 2013 which will see him head to Australia next year to study and research in great detail both playing and coaching methods adopted by NRL clubs.

Making greater use of sports science, advances in nutritional expertise, player welfare and developing England's Elite Training Squad are all viewed as crucial in his attempt to see England close the gap on the Australians – and the RFL have agreed to invest heavily to make sure all of those things happen.

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But McNamara has persuaded the governing body that it is imperative the full-time position involves fact-finding missions Down Under if they are going to eventually become the dominant force in world rugby.

While completing this season as coach of Bradford Bulls, he will be unable to make such preparations for the autumn's Gillette Four Nations, but it came as no surprise when he made long-time friend and mentor Brian Smith his performance adviser in the interim.

The veteran Sydney Roosters coach – who signed McNamara as a teenager for Hull FC more than 20 years ago and later took him to Bradford – will deliver regular updates on everything that is happening in the NRL to prepare his colleague for the forthcoming tournament.

"Brian is probably one of the most experienced and best coaches in the world and I told the RFL from the beginning that if I was to become head coach I wanted him involved," he said.

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"He's at the cutting edge of coaching and the knowledge and experience he'll bring will be invaluable."

As assistant coach in the disappointing 2008 World Cup, McNamara is already privy to where England may have fallen short last time out in Australia.

"There are definitely areas where we know we can improve and this is one of them," he said.

"You wouldn't go to war, jump out of your aeroplanes in Australia and New Zealand, landing with your parachutes and spraying bullets everywhere without doing any reconnaissance.

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"We need other people on the ground across there giving us all the information we can possibly seek to give us the best opportunity.

"Our squad will be meticulously prepared for every outcome it is going to face.

"I'm not saying it will be successful just because of that but it will give us a whole lot better chance by turning more stones over. We've left too many unturned in the past."

McNamara is adamant the gap can be narrowed with some minor adjustments to England's preparations.

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"There's some real basic things I've seen which haven't been done that can make the small differences needed," he said.

"There are some specific things I feel as a game we need to do to catch up with these people and the mental side is a huge area for us."

McNamara also revealed he had met England Under-21s football manager Stuart Pearce to seek advice on how he adapted from being in charge of a club – Manchester City – to an international side.

"I knew some of the pitfalls and difficulties Tony (his predeccesor and Brian's brother) had faced," he said, Smith having missed some of the daily routine of coaching Leeds.

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"Previous coaches have found it difficult to sit on the sidelines for 12 months and then put a coaching hat on. The game changes very quickly and you can get left behind.

"Stuart Pearce was great. I met him at Doncaster when the Under-21s played Greece and spent a couple of hours with him. I asked him how he went from day-to-day at City into that full-time environment and how he still got the adrenaline rush all coaches love. He gave me some really good ideas."

McNamara added: "It quickly became apparent to me the job needed to evolve and I pushed forward ideas to expand the role.

"I need to be at the cutting edge of everything that is happening in the world of rugby league and will travel to Australia next year.

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"I'm not saying that everything over there is the be-all but at this moment in time they are the leading lights in terms of rugby league."

Hull FC are set to hand a debut to Leeds Rhinos hooker Paul McShane against Wakefield tomorrow night after he signed a one-month loan deal to cover for the injured Shaun Berrigan.

Castleford have seen winger Sean Ainscough recalled to Wigan Warriors following a bout of injuries for the Super League leaders.

KEY AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT

Establish whichever rule interpretations are to be used in international football – and master them.

Improve mental strength.

Reduce the number of Super League games.

Introduce a State of Origin series instead of fixture against France.

Increase size of England Elite Training Squad.

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