If there's one man who knows the wide-reaching impact of World Cup glory, it's Jason Robinson.
One of the game's most successful ever dual-code stars, the winger's try and subsequent celebration for England in the 2003 final of the rugby union version went down folklore, as did the result over Australia that followed. He was one of just four victorious players to also start for his country in the 2007 final four years later, but it was South Africa who prevailed in Paris.
But of course, all this came after the man famously dubbed 'Billy Whizz' had cemented his place among the top stars of rugby league, earning iconic status with Wigan Warriors as well as Great Britain and England. Therefore, the decision of organisers to make the flying winger an ambassador for the current Rugby League World Cup was an eminently popular one.
And the tournament got the flying start the host nation craved, with England hammering Samoa 60-6 last weekend. And Robinson, 48, lauded the message sent out by his former team: "It was a massive start," he said. "There was a lot of talk about Samoa being favourites and how bad losing the opening game could be - and then we go and put 60 on them.
"For England, especially when hosting a tournament, there’s huge pressure and that was the best possible start to put out a statement to supporters and critics. Hopefully that win will carry the team into the knockouts and then into the final."
Should they achieve the latter, then a likely meeting with Australia awaits. Robinson can lay claim to being in the only England team to beat the Kangaroos in a World Cup clash in the opening game of the 1995 event - but the result was reversed when they later met in the final. The impact of Shaun Wane's side lifting the trophy this time around will inspire a generation, according to a man who knows.
"If England can go all the way and play them (Australia) again it can be an 'on the day' thing," added Robinson. "If they can build up that momentum and do it, then it would change their lives and be the biggest boost the sport could get.
“Having been in a sport and won a World Cup I know what comes after that and the impact it can have on grassroots. For me, it would be dream to see that happen but there is a lot of rugby to go.”
And not just for England either. Robinson undoubtedly has split allegiance in this tournament, serving as the joint-operations manager for Jamaica. Their campaign opened with a 48-2 defeat to Ireland, and they now have the unenvious task of taking on New Zealand on Saturday night.
But regardless of how that clash, or their final game with Lebanon pans out, progress has already been made: “When you look at the journey of Jamaican rugby, the fact they have a team in a World Cup in either code is a great achievement in itself," said Robinson. "We know there’s a lot of work to do and we know we’ve got to keep building.
“We’ve got players who’ve been able to come over from Jamaica to play the best teams in the best stadiums. This (World Cup) is something that they’ll never forget and they’ll be better for the experience."
As will others, with this World Cup offering the same promotional opportunities to the women's and wheelchair versions, a notion Robinson believes will 'massively' enhance the sport's global appeal: "It’s life-changing for people," he said. "There will be fantastic games and new supporters.
"For those that have never watched a wheelchair game, it’s fast and furious, and it is skilful, and there will be a lot of passion there. The men’s and women’s finals being at Old Trafford on the same day is hugely respectful to the women and I’m sure they’ll deliver. It’s not just a case of doing it for sympathy - they deserve the platform.”
Robinson was speaking with Farah menswear, the off-field clothing partner of the Jamaican Rugby League World Cup team. Farah menswear has been entwined with Jamaican culture since the 1970s and has continued that tradition, as the official off-field clothing partner for the Jamaican Rugby League World Cup team.
