Rugby League: We’ve been here before, but there are reasons to be optimistic for England

England are targeting a breakthrough victory against Australia

I’m struggling this week. Struggling to keep down the waves of optimism that keep rising to the surface. As those working on a broader canvas than mine have observed, it’s not the despair in life that wears you down, it’s the occasional moment of hope.

We’ve been here before, eying up what would be a breakthrough victory against Australia and a huge boost for the game in Britain. Been here before and been bitterly disappointed, so it’s surely better to just expect the worst.

And yet every time I’ve been down to the England training camp at Loughborough I’ve come away a little bit happier.

There is an atmosphere of unity and relaxed confidence in the squad that I haven’t often seen.

Of course, it doesn’t necessarily mean that England are going to win, but I think it is a pretty good indication that they are going to compete. And, if you compete, you give yourselves the chance to win.

************************************

Four Nations frenzy prevented me from being in Cardiff today  for the launch of Wigan’s presence in South Wales. As such, I’m still waiting for the details, but it sounds like visionary stuff.

One person I would have loved to have been there to see this day is Dr Phil Melling. Phil was my American Studies tutor at Keele, but our paths used to cross after he moved to Swansea, because he launched the Welsh Students RL and was a real pioneer of the game in an often hostile environment.

Sadly, he died at the weekend, as did another rugby league stalwart and good mate, Bob Rushton, who was devoted to his two clubs, Rochdale Hornets and Blackpool Borough.

If Saturday is as memorable as I’m trying to stop myself dreaming that it could be, those two should have been in the best seats in the house at Elland Road.

Recent Posts on Sport - Latest analysis on the Sporting world -

• Top 14: Verdict on the season – part two
• iBet: Manchester City to retain the title
• Victory over Juventus sees Napoli begin to emerge from the shadow of Diego Maradona
• It was Bayern who denied the Germans victory in the Champions League final, not Chelsea
• Bayern Munich in last chance saloon against Chelsea