DENIS BETTS said yesterday that England’s World Cup squad is deliberately top-heavy with forwards to meet the physical challenge of Australia but insists there is enough flexibility within it to cope with any adversity.

Head coach Wayne Bennett has named only 10 backs in his 24-man squad, including just four specialist threequarters which means that, on the face of it, Jermaine McGillvary, Kallum Watkins, Mark Percival and Ryan Hall are nailed on to start England’s opening game against the Kangaroos in Melbourne on October 27.

However, assistant coach Betts says there is a host of versatile players in the party who can switch positions if form or injury warrants it. He points to the utility value of Stefan Ratchford and says second rowers John Bateman and Ben Currie are earmarked for potential switches to centre.