'We'd have won World Cup with Lockers and Gaz in there'

James Graham, Kevin Sinfield and Gareth Ellis in England colours ahead of facing Australia in the 2011 Gillette 4 Nations at Wembley. (ALEX BROADWAY/SWPIX.COM)

Leeds Rhinos director of rugby Kevin Sinfield believes England would have won the 2017 World Cup if Gareth Ellis had not finished playing international rugby league.

He was speaking about the retirement of three “legends” of the sport in Sean O’Loughlin, James Graham and his former Leeds and England team-mate Ellis.

England lost the 2017 World Cup final 6-0 against Australia in Brisbane, with captain O’Loughlin sidelined after picking up a quad injury in the semi-final against Tonga.

Asked if he thought they would have won it - their first such final in 22 years - with the Wigan loose forward in the team, Sinfield responded: “Yes. And I’d throw Gareth Ellis in there, too.

“He had retired but he’d have been great to have out there as well.”

Ellis actually finished playing for England at the age of 32 - ahead of the 2013 World Cup - having played 22 Tests as well as winning another 17 caps for Great Britain.

The decision was made to focus on his club career and elongate his playing career which certainly worked as the combative back-row - who won two Grand Finals with Leeds - only finally retired last week at the age of 39.

'We'd have won World Cup with Lockers and Gaz in there' - Leeds Rhinos' Kevin Sinfield