England have reached four semi-finals and two finals in the past six editions of the men's Rugby League World Cup
"Do I believe we can win? It's not a no. Anybody who says we can't win with a finality to it - that's not my belief."
England's new men's head coach Brian McDermott has sounded a note of hope going into the Rugby League World Cup. And he is not the only coach looking forward with optimism. For now at least, everybody harbours a dream.
Not everyone taking part in the men's, women's and wheelchair tournaments over the next month is expecting to come away with a winner's medal - but they all have a target for success. For some, it's a title. For others, it's showing progress, or creating a legacy.
The men's competition kicks off first, on Thursday (10:05 BST), with reigning champions Australia facing New Zealand in a Sydney blockbuster dubbed a potential dress rehearsal for the final.
Both will certainly have their sights on lifting the trophy in Brisbane on 15 November.
It is a similar story for Australia's women - seeking a fourth successive title - as they begin their campaign against Samoa in Sydney on Friday (10:05 BST).
England, meanwhile, have high hopes of retaining their wheelchair title - they start against Wales in Wollongong on Friday, 30 October (04:30 BST).
Australia is hosting the bulk of the the three tournaments - including all of the wheelchair matches - with Papua New Guinea staging two men's and two women's games and New Zealand one of each.
Here, BBC Sport examines what would represent success at this World Cup for England, the home nations and the tournament as a whole.
Listen to live commentary on every men's match, and key women's matches - with coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app
Lewis left out for England's Rugby League World Cup opener
Four years ago, England's men suffered a gut-wrenching 27-26 golden-point World Cup semi-final defeat by Samoa at Emirates Stadium.
Series wins over Tonga in 2023 and Samoa a year later banished some of those memories - but last autumn brought a 3-0 home series loss to Australia.
The manner of that defeat led to Shaun Wane's departure and a new head coach in McDermott, who is seeking to lead England to only their second final since 1995.
However, prior to his squad's arrival Down Under last week, the Gold Coast Titans assistant had not even had the benefit of a training session with his players.
There was no mid-season international this year to help England prepare for a World Cup programme that begins on Saturday against a powerful Tonga side packed with NRL talent.
England then take on France and Papua New Guinea in Pool B-C - a combined six-team group from which the top two will reach the semi-finals.
Yet despite limited preparation opportunities, England will have hope of reaching a fourth final if they find their rhythm.
McDermott's 23-man squad boasts arguably the best centre in the world in Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth, while lock Victor Radley has just helped Sydney Roosters win the Grand Final in Australia.
They are two of 10 NRL-based players selected by the former Leeds boss, who has taken advantage of utilising heritage players to call up versatile Roosters back Hugo Savala and Brisbane Broncos front-rower Ben Talty.
Huddersfield-born Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King, who has previously appeared for New South Wales in State of Origin, will also make his bow, and with Harry Smith among seven Wigan players in contention, there will be no shortage of big-game experience in England's ranks.
While England showed plenty of passion and physicality against Australia in 2025, McDermott has emphasised that more guile is required in attack.
"We have got to do things differently," McDermott said.
"Being passionate to play for England is huge. You have to be aggressive to play our game, you have to be a warrior, a gladiator - but you have to have some smart attack as well.
"You have to play with a point of difference and attack into certain areas. I don't believe too many England teams have done that over the years."
Australia complete Ashes whitewash with win over gritty England
Smith, who helped Wigan defeat Penrith in World Club Challenge in 2024, added that McDermott has shown the players how he wants them to be more positive.
"He's showed us clips from the Ashes series, where there were opportunities to go at Australia," Smith said.
"Big opportunities to break open the game which we didn't quite grab. [It's] Probably just a bit more eyes up, a bit more playing on the gainline.
"In big games, you've got to take your chances with two hands and come away with points."
Jenna Foubister and Eva Hunter are among England's exciting new stars
England's women, ranked third in the world, travel to Australia with memories still fresh of their record 90-4 defeat by the Jillaroos in Las Vegas in March 2025.
They will meet again at this World Cup - a Group A fixture against the world champions is bookended by matches against Wales and a showdown with Samoa in Wollongong that could determine whether they reach the last four for the fifth time.
The complexion of Stuart Barrow's squad has altered dramatically - a youthful and dynamic squad features only six of the team who featured in Nevada.
It is buoyed by the inclusion of Australia-born Jasmin Strange, with the Sydney Roosters second-row forward joined by another heritage player - Hope Millard of Canterbury Bulldogs.
Barrow's squad is also enhanced by the return of Australia-based Fran Goldthorp, Georgia Roche and Hollie-Mae Dodd.
St Helens' loose forward Jodie Cunningham, 34, provides valuable experience in her fourth and final World Cup. The new headline acts include a Wigan trio - 19-year-old Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister, Megan Williams and Eva Hunter.
"It's a huge difference in a short period of time. The result [against Australia] enhanced the desire to make change. We have lots of youth and enthusiasm," said Cunningham.
"As a squad we are probably going to be underestimated by Australia and other nations whose players predominantly play in the NRLW - and Eva [Hunter] could be one that does shock them with her physicality. She is so strong, powerful and really quick with it as well.