With the World Cup fast approaching, NRL.com takes a look at how each Group shapes up and who are the key men who have to stand up if their nation is to progress to the knockout stages...
GROUP A (England, France, Greece, Samoa)
The lowdown
It is arguably the tournament's toughest group to pick a winner from, with host nation England set to battle it out with a star-studded Samoa side which includes the likes of Jarome Luai, Josh Papalii and Joseph Suaalii.
That means the tournament’s opening game between the two sides on October 16 (AEDT) carries huge importance, with the winner of it a good chance of advancing as the group’s top seed.
England have picked a mix of talent from the NRL and Super League, with Roosters lock Victor Radley, exciting Knights back Dominic Young and Raiders veteran Elliott Whitehead among the squad.
With Roosters coach Trent Robinson on board as director of rugby, there are hopes France can compete despite the tough group they find themselves in, with the added bonus this year of having had two French club sides in the Super League.
While they aren’t favoured to advance, Greece have some handy players in the shape of South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias and former Sharks forward Billy Magoulias.
The games
* all times are AEDT
Sunday Oct 16
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England vs Samoa 12.30am at St. James' Park
Tuesday Oct 18
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France vs Greece 5.30am at Eco-Power Stadium
Sunday Oct 23
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England vs France 3.00am at University of Bolton Stadium
Monday Oct 24
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Samoa vs Greece 3.00am at Eco-Power Stadium
Sunday Oct 30
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England vs Greece 12.30am at Bramall Lane
Monday Oct 31
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Samoa vs France 4.00am at Halliwell Jones Stadium
The teams
England
Andy Ackers (Salford Red Devils), Joe Batchelor (St Helens), John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos), Ryan Hall (Hull KR), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils), Luke Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons) (Captain), Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
Key Player: The aggression and intensity Victor Radley brings to the game is going to be crucial, especially against Samoa who have a bunch of forwards at their disposal who are coming off strong seasons in the NRL. He's got plenty of handy teammates beside him in the pack, but the Roosters enforcer will play an important role in setting the tone.
Radley gives Olam the treatment
Strengths: Coach Shaun Wane has named an exciting backline with plenty of potential for tries. Herbie Farnworth and Dominic Young scored 28 between them in the NRL this year, while former Golden Boot winner Tommy Makinson was the third-highest try-scorer in the Super League this year with 22.
Weaknesses: The backline and pack look strong, but it's in the halves that the big questions remain for England. While in the past they've benefitted from having a player like Gareth Widdop in the No.6 jersey, they'll be relying on one-time Canberra half George Williams to guide the side around the park this time.
History at World Cup: They came very close to ending their World Cup drought back in 2017 when they lost 6-0 to Australia after making it through to the final of the tournament for the first time since 1995. Under the banner of Great Britain, the side won the first ever edition of the tournament back in 1954 and were victorious again in 1960, but haven't won since.
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France
Squad: Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Alrix Da Costa (Dragons Catalans), Jordan Dezaria (Dragons Catalans), Morgan Escaré (Salford Red Devils), Benjamin Garcia (Captain) (Dragons Catalans), Tony Gigot (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Mickaël Goudemand (Dragons Catalans), Benjamin Jullien (Dragons Catalans), Matthieu Laguerre (Dragons Catalans), Samisoni Langi (Dragons Catalans), Corentin Le Cam (Dragons Catalans), Paul Marcon (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Anthony Marion (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Arthur Mourgue (Dragons Catalans), Eloi Pelissier (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Maxime Puech (Albi RL XIII), Arthur Romano (Dragons Catalans), César Rougé (Dragons Catalans), Justin Sangaré (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Paul Séguier (Dragons Catalans), Gadwin Springer (Featherstone Rovers), Maxime Stefani (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Louis Jouffret (Halifax Panthers), Fouad Yaha (Dragons Catalans).
Key Player: On his day Toulouse half Tony Gigot can produce some magical plays. With more than 150 Super League appearances and 16 Test caps to his name, the 31-year-old is vastly experienced and will need to play well if France are any chance of upsetting their more fancied Group A opponents.
Strengths: Unlike previous World Cup campaigns, almost all of France's players will be coming off seasons in the Super League, rather than lower division football. That should give them more of a chance when it comes to matching the game speed the likes of England and Samoa will bring to the game.
Weaknesses: It's likely in the middle of the park that les Chanticleers will struggle. Whether their big men can match it with the stars who will be trotted out by England and Samoa in particular remains to be seen.
History at World Cup: They were runners-up in two of the opening four tournaments, but since 1968 they haven't finished better than third. France will host the next tournament and there is hope that this former giant of international league is on an upward trajectory.
Greece
Squad: Jordan Meads (Captain) (Sunshine Coast), Lachlan Ilias (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Stefanos Bastas (Coventry Bears), Nikolaos Bosmos (Rhodes Knights), Terry Constantinou (Sunbury Tigers), Aris Dardamanis (Aris Eagles), Nick Flocas (Ipswich Jets), Myles Gal (TBC), Jake Kambos (Wests Magpies), Kosta Katsidonis (Rhodes Knights), Greg Koutsimporgiorgos (Aris Eagles), Billy Magoulias (Newtown Jets), Peter Mamouzelos (South Sydney Rabbitohs), John Mitsias (Wests Magpies), Nick Mougios (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Thodoris Nianiakas (Woolston Rovers), Ionnis Nake (TBC), Chaise Robinson (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Ionnis Rousoglou (Aris Eagles), Sebastian Sell (Mittagong Lions), Liam Sui Tin (TBC), Vasili Tsikrikas (Canterbury Bulldogs), Robert Tuliatu (London Broncos), Adam Vrahnos (London Broncos), Mitchell Zampetides (Wests Magpies).
Key Player: Lachlan Ilias comes off a strong first full season in the NRL, helping to take the Rabbitohs to within one game of the Grand Final. But it will be a totally different challenge for him without the likes of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook by his side. His defence in particular became a strong point by the end of 2022 and he's a player who can nail the big plays.
Ilias scores a special try
Strengths: There is plenty to like about their halves. Jordan Meads never kicked on at NRL level, but is vastly experienced and a capable playmaker. He came through the junior system with the Warriors and has been playing for Greece since 2014. Alongside Ilias, with his qualities outlined earlier, the Greek side should be well organised in attack.
Weaknesses: They have very little top-flight experience in this squad, with Ilias and his South Sydney teammate Peter Mamouzelos the only players who appeared in the NRL this season. It's an unforgiving group for a developing squad, and Greece will struggle to match the game smarts and intensity of their opponents.
History at World Cup: This is the first time Greece have appeared in a World Cup, but back in 2018 they did get a taste of the experience by taking part in the Emerging Nations World Cup. They have played plenty of footy over the past few years, thanks to their participation in European competitions and qualifiers.
Samoa
Squad: Josh Aloiai (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Fa'amanu Brown (Wests Tigers), Stephen Crichton (Penrith Panthers), Mathew Feagai (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Braden Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla Sharks), Chanel Harris-Tavita (Warriors), Royce Hunt (Cronulla Sharks), Oregon Kaufusi (Parramatta Eels), Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants), Jarome Luai (Penrith Panthers), Taylan May (Penrith Panthers), Tyrone May (Catalans Dragons), Anthony Milford (Newcastle Knights), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Junior Paulo (Parramatta Eels), Jaydn Su’a (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Joseph Suaalii (Sydney Roosters), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (North Queensland Cowboys), Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers), Martin Taupau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers), Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers), Ligi Sao (Hull FC).
Key Player: It will be a big advantage for Samoa that their chief playmaker is coming off a Grand Final win and a strong 2022 season, and much of their success in the close games will come down to how well Jarome Luai can manage the game. While much of the kicking duties at Penrith fall to his halves partner Nathan Cleary, it's likely Luai will take on a more dominant role for Samoa. His energy and enthusiasm will also be crucial.
In the winner's sheds: Jarome Luai
Strengths: It's a brilliant forward pack. Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo were among the best props in the NRL this season and hurt teams with their second-phase play, between them offloading 86 times in their combined 51 games. Add to that the presence of veteran first-graders Josh Aloiai, Martin Taupau and Jaydn Su’a, and this is a group not to be taken lightly.
Weaknesses: A lack of a recognised fullback probably won't matter too much during group play, but could be a factor if and when Samoa advance to the playoffs of the tournament. Stephen Crichton, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Joseph Suaalii and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are the leading contenders, but none of them spent regular time at the back in the 2022 season.
History at World Cup: Across three prior World Cup outings, Samoa have won 41 percent of their games and they remain somewhat of a sleeping giant in the eyes of many. This squad is the best ever assembled by the island nation and there is genuine thought that Matt Parish's side could follow the lead of Tonga in becoming an international heavyweight.