Kallum Watkins has claimed that England's touring camp mentality will aid their challenge to be crowned world champions this year.

Steve McNamara's World Cup squad have been lodging at Loughborough University since returning from a two-week training camp in South Africa.

Watkins believes that staying together for an extended period of time has created a team spirit that will hold England in good stead as the tournament progresses.

"All the players are making sacrifices," Watkins told reporters. "Being away from your family pretty much all week, you're only seeing them once a week.

"That's the commitment you have to have when you are trying to win the World Cup and I think everyone has bought into this pretty well.

"It's really important in terms of our team spirit and togetherness which will help us on the way."

England, who lost 28-20 to Australia in their Group A opener, face Ireland in Huddersfield on Saturday.