Son of Wigan legend to play for USA

Jay Florimo – son of Wigan legend Greg (above) – has been picked in the USA squad for this Autumn’s World Cup 9s tournament.

The 29-year-old currently plays for The Entrance Tigers in NSW, Australia and is eligible as his mother was born on a US army base in Germany to an American father.

Also called up for the first time is NRL young gun Ronaldo Mulitalo, who has enjoyed a stellar rookie season for Cronulla.

Hull FC winger Bureta Faraimo is also included, as are Championship stars Junior Vaivai from Toulouse and Corey Makelim of Sheffield.

There is further professional experience in the shape of former Wigan prop Eddy Pettybourne, former London forward Mark Offerdahl and ex-Toronto Wolfpack players Ryan Burroughs and Joe Eichner.

The 20-man squad also includes 10 players from the thriving American domestic league.

The Hawks are in what has been dubbed the ‘group of death’ with Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea for next month’s competition.

USA World Cup 9s squad:

Brandon Anderson (Brooklyn)

Ryan Burroughs (Nova)

Brock Davies (Brooklyn)

Conner Donehue (Brooklyn)

Joe Eichner (Northern Pride)

Bureta Faraimo (Hull FC)

Jay Florimo (The Entrance)

Kristian Freed (Wests Mitchelton)

Khalial Harris (Jacksonville)

Danny Howard (Wentworthville)

Charlie Jones (Jacksonville)

Corey Makelim (Sheffield)

Ronaldo Mulitalo (Cronulla)

Mark Offerdahl (Goondawindi)

Eddy Pettybourne (Central Queensland)

Jamil Robinson (Brooklyn)

Marcus Satavu (Brooklyn)

Junior Vaivai (Toulouse)

Jerome Veve (Souths Logan)

David Washington (Jacksonville)