Rugby League World Cup: Royal Navy captain 'Yorkshire Prose' gives England a rousing pep talk

The captain of the Royal Navy rugby league team has given the England squad a rousing pep talk ahead of their World Cup campaign.

Ben Taylor, who is known for his poems across military Twitter as the Yorkshire Prose, lifted the Inter Services trophy last week as the Navy ended a five-year wait for a triumph.

He's now passed on some of that wisdom to the England players who embark on a home tournament next week.

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"England expects," said Taylor when revealing the poem he wrote specifically for the international players.

"England has always expected. A nation where its sports stars are worshipped and respected."

Taylor listed a number of English towns and cities where rugby league is popular before taking note that other countries have had more success over recent years than the tournament's host nation.

He gave the players a simple message that the 'stage is set' and that it was time to 'get the show back on track'.

"Wars might be fought with weapons but it's won by men," Taylor continued.

"This World Cup at home lads comes down to us versus them. I say us because you represent us.

"All of us who wish we could play. We dream of playing for England but we haven't quite what it takes."

He ended his speech setting the players an objective: "Let's get on with the task lads. Go win us that World Cup."