Peacock proud to be English

England Rugby League captain Jamie Peacock has said that he and his team mates will be filled with the spirit of St George as they look to restore the pride in English sport this Autumn when they head Down Under for the World Cup.

Peacock, who recently released his autobiography "No White Flag", used St George's Day today to issue a rallying call to the whole country to get behind the team and back them for World Cup glory. The Final in Brisbane is just 213 days away and following recent failures by the national football, cricket and Rugby Union teams, Peacock is sure his team can restore pride in English sport.

"I played for England back in the World Cup in 2000 and obviously since then we have been part of the Great Britain set up. Whilst I have been proud to captain Great Britain, I am really looking forward to leading England Down Under to try and win the World Cup to be the best in the world.

"We had a taste of that this year with Leeds Rhinos already, winning the Carnegie World Club Challenge. We are an English club with the majority of our squad eligible to play for England and for us to be classed as the best in the world means a great deal.

"Sometimes in this country we are too quick to put ourselves down, you don't see that in Australia or throughout the rest of Europe. People have pride in their country but I am proud of my country and my local community. I think St George's Day gives us a chance to talk about what is great about being English. I know fans across the country will be backing us Down Under because they know we will be giving our all to win it for England," added Peacock.

In his autobiography Peacock revealed how singing the national anthem is a massive motivator for him before he takes on the toughest opponents in the world. He writes, "You don't realise how special a feeling it is to captain your country until you do and you get the sense of the footsteps you are following in and the honour associated with the role. I genuinely feel as though I was representing the whole of the rugby league family as I strode to the halfway line. Not just the professional or even the amateur playing ranks, but also the mass of volunteers who clean out the dressing rooms and do essential jobs to make the game happen.

"It is a massive but immensely enjoyable responsibility to feel that you are at the pinnacle of your sport and an ambassador for the whole fraternity.

"I know I am not the best singer but I always try to belt out the national anthem with real passion and it annoys me when I see national teams that are motionless when it's played before their contests. My wailing shout was as loud and as poor as ever but it evoked a deep-seated emotional bond and even now, hearing it strike up still makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck."

in the words of kevin keegan "i'd love it if we beat them....love it"