ENGLAND has taken aim at the Kangaroos on the back of their series defeat of the Kiwis, saying the world champions are no longer the No.1 Test nation.

Legendary Lions centre Garry Schofield — who racked up 46 Test caps as well as the Golden Boot and Man of Steel awards — said recent results speak for themselves.

“At the moment it looks like the Aussies are running scared,” he wrote in a column in the magazine ‘League Express’.

“They won’t even agree to one Test match, although that wouldn’t be enough for me.

“The Aussies lost to New Zealand last month, which means the winner of the Kiwi - Great Britain Test series (Britain) is the world’s next number one Test nation.

“Even if you believe the Aussies are still the best and the defeat to the Kiwis was a blip, then they don’t deserve to be ranked number one if they can’t be bothered to play many games.”

Schofield, who spent most of his career with Leeds but also played in Australia with Balmain and Wests in the late ‘80s, said it made sense for the two Test sides to go head to head.

“Australia have had this year with no major competition on the back of the 2016 Four Nations and last year’s World Cup,” he wrote.

“But they don’t need a rest for two consecutive years.

“It’s not like we are asking them to travel over here. The Lions will be in the Southern Hemisphere anyway so what’s the problem.”

The Kangaroos were upset by the Kiwis 26-24 last month, before comfortably taking care of the Tongans 34-16.

While England wrapped up their series win over the Kiwis in Liverpool on Sunday, beating Michael Maguire’s men 20-14, after winning the first Test 18-16.