Rugby League World Cup: Seven players to watch

The 16th Rugby League World Cup gets underway tomorrow as hosts England face Samoa at St James' Park in Newcastle and defending champions Australia tackle Fiji.

Ireland have been drawn in Group B with New Zealand, Lebanon and Jamaica, who they face in their opening fixture on Sunday.

Coached by Offaly native Ged Corcoran, Ireland’s squad contains a number of Super League and NRL players, as well as Irish-born prop Ronan Michael.

Ireland face Jamaica at Headingley Stadium in Leeds before taking on the Michael Cheika-coached Lebanon in Leigh seven days later.

They head back to Headingley for their final group match against New Zealand on 28 October, with the top two teams qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Here are seven players who could make a big impression...

Luke Keary (Ireland)

Sydney Roosters half-back Keary won the NRL Grand Final with South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2014 before leaving the club following a clash with co-owner Russell Crowe.

He took his game to new heights following his move to the Roosters, winning back-to-back Grand Finals and being the Clive Churchill Medal winner in 2018.

Born in Ipswich, Queensland, he was capped by Australia in 2018 against New Zealand and Tonga but has long held a connection with Ireland through his father and would have played for them in the 2017 tournament but for injury.

Jarome Luai (Samoa)

The 24-year-old Penrith half-back has become one of the biggest stars in the NRL over the last two seasons and earlier this month helped the Panthers to successive Grand Final wins.

He was in line to be picked by Mal Meninga for the Kangaroos before making clear his preference.

Born in Sydney, Luai is part of a proud Samoan family and played for the Pacific Islanders in the 2017 World Cup before he had