Men’s Rugby League World Cup: group-by-group preview

Coach: Shaun WaneCaptain: Sam TomkinsPrevious best: Runners-up (1975, 1995, 2017)

The good news for the hosts? Australia and New Zealand are on the opposite side of the draw. The bad news? They’re in a group with the hugely fancied Samoans, against whom they kick off the tournament in Newcastle on Saturday. Win that and they will be confident of making the semi-finals at least with minimum fuss. Lose it and there’s the prospect of facing Tonga in the quarter-finals. The form of breakthrough youngsters such as Jack Welsby and Dom Young will be key to how a new-look England fares.Prediction: Runners-up

Coach: Matt ParishCaptain: Junior PauloPrevious best: Quarter-finals (2000, 2013, 2017)

With a number of top NRL players switching their allegiance to Samoa for the tournament there is suddenly a fifth team who will fancy a serious crack at the title. They have never gone further than the last eight but are rightly being tipped to improve on that. Matt Parish is adamant it will take his side time to gel, but they are the bookies’ favourites for the opening game against England. Win that and everyone will be talking about Samoa.Prediction: Quarter-finals

Coach: Laurent FrayssinousCaptain: Benjamin GarciaPrevious best: Runners-up (1954, 1968)

With two of the world’s best sides and the debuting Greeks for company in Group A, third place appears to be France’s likeliest position. They do have a squad comprised entirely of full-time professionals for the first time, thanks to Toulouse’s season in Super League. Exciting young talent such as Catalans’ Arthur Mourgue means they are capable of a shock, but qualifying from the group will be incredibly tough. Prediction: 3rd in group

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