ENGLAND coach Shaun Wane brought in former international footballer Stuart Pearce to help him hone his preparations for the business end of the World Cup.

Pearce, known as "Psycho" for his physical approach during his playing career, addressed Wane's 24-man squad at Wigan's Robin Park arena ahead of Saturday's final Group A clash with Greece at Sheffield's Bramall Lane.

The ex-England captain is a big rugby league fan and has made known his support for Warrington Wolves on several occasions having been introduced to the game by then-Wire head coach Tony Smith.

Wane also tapped into the knowledge of England manager Gareth Southgate on Wednesday morning as he looks to find the extra edge in his bid to end the country's 50-year wait for World Cup success.

"Stuart is an impressive Englishman who is very passionate," Wane said at his weekly press conference on Wednesday. "We've learned a lot off him.

"He presented to the group this morning and was really good. He spoke very highly about the camp and how we went about our session.

"We're going to have other people coming in. It's important players experience that, there are other ways of learning that will make us better at rugby league, listening to legends like him was very important.

"I spoke to Gareth (Southgate) this morning over text and invited him to the games and we've got other people who are going to come in and present jerseys."

St Helens second rower Joe Batchelor, who will make his England debut on Saturday, said: "It was great to get someone of his experience.

"He's got the knowledge of representing his country at the highest level, it was a really valuable morning for us.

"He's a leader, that's what he was known for, and he gave us some lessons in that and on being part of a team in a major tournament."