Ellis confident of closing gap

Gareth Ellis
12 April 2012

Sydney-based Gareth Ellis is convinced England are making genuine progress in their bid to close the gap on Australia and New Zealand.

The former Wakefield and Leeds centre-turned-forward has been a regular for the national team over the last seven years and reckons England's preparation for the Gillette Four Nations Series which gets under way on Friday is unbridled.

"It's a step up from anything I've ever experienced before in terms of professionalism," said the Wests Tigers second rower, who has had his eyes opened during the England training camp at Loughborough University.

"It's time we repaid that and stepped up to the mark. All the work that the conditioners and coaching staff do and the administration behind the scenes is brilliant and a pleasure to be around.

"We are ranked third in the league but I'm not sure the teams above us will be doing as much as we are.

"I think if England stick at it for long enough that gap will get smaller and in the long run we will catch them up."

Before England get the chance to put their preparations to the test against Australia and New Zealand, they open their Four Nations campaign against Wales at Leigh on Saturday and Ellis admits their major task will be to try to stop dangerman Lee Briers.

"I'll be honest and say I don't really know a lot about Wales," he said. "A few of the boys have played against some of their players but I've not played against many at all, apart from obviously the key man, Lee Briers.

"The talent he's got is unquestionable and, if he's on song, he'll really test us. A lot of it will be around stopping him.

"They'll be viewing this as a game that - if they are going to get a shock or a performance - this is probably the one for them."

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