England prop Ellis Genge believes the Rugby World Cup in France is a wide-open event. Solely 4 nations – New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England – have gained the competitors throughout its 9 earlier stagings.

But when the present world rankings show an correct information, then a brand new identify could possibly be engraved on the trophy this time round with Eire at present topping that checklist and France holding third place.

“Somebody spoke to me just lately and stated about Eire, South Africa and Eddie (Jones) going again to Australia,” England prop Genge stated. “They didn’t even point out New Zealand, so it exhibits the place folks’s heads are at. New Zealand are nonetheless among the finest groups on the planet.

World Cup heat up highlights | The Breakdown

World Cup heat up highlights | The Breakdown

“You’ve gotten seen the upsets we’ve had lately, and I believe it’s huge open. I believe any good staff could be very, superb at what they do. There is no such thing as a magic potion.

“You need to be superb at what you got down to do, and that’s what all one of the best groups in historical past have completed. I believe the important thing issue is discovering your id and being actually good at that. It’s about hanging your hat on one thing.”

Whereas Eire, New Zealand, South Africa and Scotland all discover themselves within the draw’s prime half, England’s preliminary testing hurdles seem like pool rivals Argentina – they meet in Marseille on September 9 – and potential quarter-final opponents Australia, Wales or Fiji in the event that they attain the last-eight.

Genge is ready to win his fiftieth cap in some unspecified time in the future throughout England’s World Cup warm-up schedule. For the reason that final event in Japan 4 years in the past, when Genge made two appearances as a alternative, he has captained his nation and established himself as England’s first-choice loosehead prop.

He’s additionally amongst two World Cup vice-captains named by head coach Steve Borthwick, becoming a member of Courtney Lawes in understudying World Cup skipper Owen Farrell.

Requested how a lot he feels he has grown as a participant for the reason that final World Cup, Genge added: “I wouldn’t even pin it on rising as a participant, to be trustworthy.

“It’s extra rising as an individual. I’ve had two children in that house of time. I’ve had some issues go on with my household, so I moved again residence (to Bristol).

“I’m in all probability in loads higher spot psychologically, versus my performances on the pitch, which have clearly been bolstered by what has occurred off it. They positively coincide.

“It’s about that mentality of switching off, which I’m fairly good at, after which turning it again on when it counts.

“Switching off could be very straightforward when you’ve got two younger children and a canine – a really huge canine at that! That has actually helped me as an individual and the fitness center [Genge’s fitness business] is one other avenue to take my thoughts off the sport.

“Going into this World Cup, I’m extra of a senior participant and I can’t wait to get entangled. I actually need to get going now.”