League: Coach draws on NRL lessons to cull Roos

England coach Steve McNamara. Photo / Getty Images

If England sensationally oust Australia from the Four Nations tournament tomorrow, their success can be traced back to the NRL.

Ahead of their crucial clash at Melbourne's AAMI Park - which the Kangaroos must win to remain alive - England coach Steve McNamara says he has learned a lot about the opposition from his season as a Sydney Roosters assistant coach.

He joined the NRL club after England lost a heart-breaking World Cup semifinal to New Zealand last year and is hoping the new-found knowledge leads his team to their first win over Australia in almost 20 years.

England also have six NRL players in their squad: James Graham (Bulldogs), Gareth Widdop and Mike Cooper (St George Illawarra), Sam Tomkins (Warriors) and powerhouse twins Tom and George Burgess, who helped steer South Sydney to the NRL premiership along with their rugby-bound older brother Sam.

"There's quite a few of our players who play in the NRL and all of our opposition do," McNamara said.

"To have that insight into mindset and the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition has quite clearly been an advantage for us."

He said England have already put it into practice with success in their opening 32-26 win over Samoa.

"I know myself and James [Graham] and those boys knew the strength and quality of that side," he said.

Stand-in skipper Graham was part of Canterbury's losing NRL grand final side which gave him a taste of the power of the Burgess boys.

He said he had been impressed with how Tom had improved in his two seasons with Souths and now rated him on par with his twin.

"It's clear for everyone to see the improvement that they've made, especially Tom," Graham said.

"Everyone knows how good they can be when they're firing on all cylinders, the way they carry the ball they're very tough to stop."

Usual captain Sean O'Loughlin will be given every chance to play tomorrow after missing the Samoa game and will test his injured quad at training. McNamara said he believed the lock would play.

"Sean will train today and again tomorrow and hopefully he will come through that good and will be available for selection," McNamara said.

England halfback Matt Smith wore a moon boot after the Samoa match but McNamara said it was only a precautionary measure and his ankle wouldn't prevent him from playing.

- AAP