When England get their World Cup campaign underway on Saturday, there will be no more passionate supporter than Lee Crooks.

But for the York Wasps coach, there will also be a hint of regret about what have might have been.

It is one of Crooks' biggest disappointments that, in a glorious international career which resulted in 19 caps, he never got to play in a World Cup.

In Crooks' early playing days the World Cup took the form of a series of matches played over three years and featured only five teams - Britain, Australia, New Zealand, France and Papua New Guinea.

It meant that Crooks appeared in some World Cup matches in the 1985-88 series - including the memorable 6-6 draw against New Zealand at Elland Road in 1985 when he kicked three goals - but did not get the chance to take part in the tournament as we know it today.

He also missed out on the 1992 World Cup final against Australia as his international career had suffered as a result of his disappointing spell at Leeds.

"Unfortunately I did not get to play in a World Cup but most of it was my doing," recalled the 37-year-old former Hull, Leeds and Castleford prop.

"When the World Cup was restructured it was just prior to me leaving Leeds and it was well documented the things that went on off the field.

"It's the one mark on my career. If there was one thing I could have done which I didn't it would have been to play in a World Cup.

"After leaving Leeds, Crooks went on to rediscover his form at Castleford and believes he was unlucky to miss out on the 1992 final at Wembley which Australia won 10-6.

He explained: "The game was changing a little bit then. I think I was playing well enough but they went for faster forwards rather than the skill factor.

"The prize at this year's World Cup is even greater than previous competitions, according to Crooks.

Rather than just national pride and silverware, he believes the future expansion of the sport in Britain is at stake.

Initially he was against the decision to split the home nations but has now had a re-think.

"I thought that splitting the home nations up weakened our chances of toppling Australia.

But I have listened to what other people have had to say and it's made me think," revealed Crooks.

"You need to spread it across the country and increase the profile. It's getting the game played in Ireland, Scotland and Wales which has to be good for the sport.

As for Australia, Crooks expects the opener against England to give an indication of just whether they deserve their odds-on favourites tag.

"Most of their players haven't played for a few weeks, it will be 15 degrees colder than they're used to, the ground will be wetter and hopefully the supporters will get behind England.

"It will be a yardstick for what will happen later on in the competition and for John Kear (England coach). If England get beaten it won't be the end of the world because they can still qualify but they will know what they have to do in the later rounds."