Jon Wilkin and Jamie Peacock believe England will struggle if Leigh Leopards man shines in World Cup quarter-final

Jon Wilkin and Jamie Peacock believe England could be in for a tough afternoon against Papua New Guinea if they allow Edwin Ipape to run loose.

The Leigh Leopards hooker has had a standout season in the Championship this season and has carried that form into the World Cup for his country.

Speaking on the BBC ahead of this afternoon’s quarter final at the DW Stadium between England and PNG, Peacock and Wilkin highlighted Ipape as the danger man.

Peacock said: “We are looking at PNG and you are looking at Ipape. He will look to benefit from England making errors and running from dummy half.

“If England lose concentration, have players on the floor at the ruck, Ipape will use his strength, speed and guile to cause a lot of problems. He combines that brain and brute force,”

Wilkin added: “If Ipape goes well this afternoon and we are all talking about him then that probably means things aren’t going well for England.

“Even if the ruck is set he is dangerous. Ipape is a bullet fired out of a gun and he is going to create carnage for England today if they let him.

“PNG will be focusing on speed of ruck to get Ipape into the game.”