Ireland can challenge southern elite at World Cup – thanks to NRL players

The increasing gulf in class between rugby league in the southern and northern hemispheres could be epitomised by England being the only European country to reach the knockout phase of this World Cup. Ireland are also strong contenders to reach the quarter-finals, but a Lebanon side primarily grown in Sydney will be out to stop them.

European teams are making less and less of an impact at World Cups. At the tournament in 2000, England were joined by Wales, Ireland and France in the knockout stages. In 2013, it was England, Scotland and France. By 2017, only England made it through to the last eight. That was partly due to the way the fixtures fell – and the fact they were played in roasting temperatures. The conditions in northern England, with supportive home crowds, will be more favourable. The European sides have to make the most of any minor advantages they have.

There are three reasons why the gap between the southern and northern hemispheres is widening. The first is that northern sides do not have the same strength in depth. While England can cope with the loss of several top-quality players, the other European teams cannot match the Pacific countries for depth. The unwritten rules of international rugby league are as follows: the team with the most NRL players wins; the team with the most NRL and Super League players wins; the team with the most full-time professionals wins. When a team loses half a dozen NRL regulars – as has happened to Italy at this tournament – we see what is left. Withdrawals have considerably less impact on the Pacific countries.

It is also key to look at the players teams have in the decision-making positions of full-back, scrum-half, stand-off and hooker. Let’s compare the NRL and Super