Melbourne Storm players arrived in London this morning bleary-eyed following a “sleepless” 24-hour flight with a further warning not to nod off for the rest of today.

The Australian champions appointed a designated “pest” to rouse napping players as part of their meticulous preparation for the World Club Challenge against Leeds Rhinos at Headingley on Friday week.

“During the flight they have a routine of when to sleep or at least a recommendation,” Storm football manager Frank Ponissi told the club website www.melbournestorm.com.au.

“It’s very hard to tell people when to fall asleep but we want to adjust to the UK time zone as quick as we can.

“The idea is to keep them up for the full day, too, which is hard because we arrive at 5am. But we can’t afford to have them dropping off in the afternoon. There’s too much to get done.

“We want to give ourselves the best possible chance of winning by getting there early, doing the right things before, during and after.”

Melbourne flew business class and held a stretching session during a Singapore stopover.

The players were also given their winter gear six weeks early to deal with the dramatic drop in temperature.

“We didn’t give them a list of what to pack, we just gave them their big jackets and beanies now instead of in March,” Ponissi said.

The squad will visit the famous Eton college tomorrow and will take part in an opposed training session with London Broncos’ academy on Friday before heading to Leeds to set up camp at the weekend.