Steve McNamara has sympathy for union counterpart Stuart Lancaster

England rugby league coach Steve McNamara tells BBC Sport he has "so much sympathy" for cross-code counterpart Stuart Lancaster after his union side were dumped out of their home Rugby World Cup in the pool stages.

McNamara says being national coach is a "great position" but comes with "added pressure", which he will experience when his England side take on France and New Zealand in their International Series, starting on 24 October.

England's 24-man squad will be captained by Wigan's Sean O'Loughlin and features seven uncapped players, including Super League's top try-scorer, Jermaine McGillvary of Huddersfield, and young player of the year, George Williams of Wigan.