Huddersfield Giants star set for surprise position switch as Wigan Warriors, Leigh Centurions and Hull KR men set for World Cup appearances

The likes of Scotland, Lebanon and Ireland have announced their first 19-man squads for this weekend’s opening World Cup fixtrures.

Ireland were one of the first to name their 19-man squad which you can read about here whilst the others weren’t far behind.

They take on Jamaica who are expected to start Ben Jones-Bishop at fullback after he was named in the squad and given the number one shirt whilst fellow fullback Ash Golding is given the number 13 suggesting he will make a surprise switch to loose-forward.

Huddersfield teammate Michael Lawrence is set to place as is Bradford youngster AJ Wallace.

🇯🇲🇮🇪 Ready to make history!

Can debutants Jamaica get their Rugby League World Cup journey off to the best possible start against Ireland at Headingley?#RLWC2021 | @JAMRugbyLeague | @Irelandrl

— Rugby League World Cup 2021 (@RLWC2021) October 14, 2022

Lebanon are set for a difficult opening game up against New Zealand.

New Zealand have named their team for their clash against Lebanon and have named almost their first 17 except for the inclusion of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad at centre after he terrorised Leeds last week.

Joseph Manu replaces Klokstad at fullback.

Your Kiwis to face Lebanon in our RLWC opener, only one change from June.
Kick off 7:30am NZDT live on Spark Sport, delayed free to air 9:30am on Three.#worldcupwaka pic.twitter.com/OiL8Xxnyqa

— NZ Rugby League (@NZRL_Kiwis) October 14, 2022

Despite the quality in that side, Lebanon’s star player and NRL Grand Finalists Mitchell Moses is backing his team to cause the Kiwis problems and he will be central to their efforts and again is the standout name in their squad alongside Wigan Warriors winger Abbas Miski who will be one of the Cedar’s main attacking threats in the tournament.

BREAKING 🚨 | Your CEDARS Squad list set to tackle the Kiwis this Sunday at Halliwell Jones Stadium! 😤🇱🇧 | #RiseUpCedars #RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/av5TnBWqXC

— Lebanon Rugby League (@LebanonRL) October 14, 2022

Speaking of dangerous wingers with Wigan connections, Scotland have named two in the shape of Matty Russell who started his career at Wigan and Lachlan Walmsley who was linked with a move to Wigan last year and is now scoring tries for fun at Halifax.

Joining them in the Scotland squad is Salford fullback Ryan Brierley who is set to star in the halves having been given the number seven shirt for the tournament.

Scotland will have power in the back as they face Italy this weekend with St Helens forward James Bell named in the 19 alongside Hull KR’s star backrow Kane Linnett.

Nathan Graham has selected his 19-man squad ahead of this weekend's @RLWC2021 opener against @ITALIA_RLXIII #Bravehearts@hanetf @VX3apparel pic.twitter.com/1UPGkNBRC6

— Scotland Rugby League 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 (@scotlandrl) October 14, 2022

No Super League stars figure in Italy’s squad for the game but NRL star and skipper Nathan Brown will hope to lead the way.

Fatta l'Italia League per la sfida all'@scotlandrugbyleague #RLWC #RLWC2021 #rugbyleague #RUGBYLEAGUE #rugbyleagueworldcup #ITALIALEAGUE #italia @jqphysiotherapy pic.twitter.com/b3S0v4eorZ

— FIRL – Federazione Italiana Rugby League (@ITALIA_RLXIII) October 14, 2022