Group A preview: England, France, Greece, Samoa

The World Cup is 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.

England, France, Greece and Samoa are in Group A. The opening game is on October 16 (AEDT). England have a mix of NRL and Super League players in their squad. France have two French club sides in the Super league. Greece have South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias and former Sharks forward Billy Magoulias.

England vs Samoa is at St. James' Park on Monday, October 16 at 12.30 am.

France vs Greece is at 5.30 am on Sunday, October 18 at Eco-Power Stadium.

England vs France is at 3.00 am at University of Bolton Stadium on Monday, October 23.

Samoa vs Greece is at 3.00 am on Saturday, October 24 at Eco-Power Stadium.

Samoa vs France is at Halliwell Jones Stadium on Monday, October 31 at 4:00 am.

Andy Ackers, Joe Batchelor, John Bateman, Tom Burgess, Mike Cooper, Herbie Farnworth, Ryan Hall, Chris Hill, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Tommy Makinson, Michael McIlorum, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Marc Sneyd, Kallum Watkins, Jack Welsby, Elliott Whitehead, George Williams, Warrington Wolves, Dom Young.

Victor Radley is the key player for Australia against Samoa. He will play an important role in setting the tone.

Shaun Wane has named an exciting backline with plenty of potential for tries. Herbie Farnworth and Dominic Young scored 28 tries between them in the NRL this year. Tommy Makinson was the third-highest try-scorer in Super League this season with 22.

England's backline and pack look strong, but the halves are their weak spot. They will rely on George Williams to play in the No.6 jersey.

Great Britain haven't won a World Cup since 1960. They came close to ending their World cup drought in 2017 when they lost 6-0 to Australia.

Squad: Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique XIII), Alrix Da Costa (Dragons Catalans), Jordan Dezaria ( DragonsCatalans) Morgan Escaré (Salford Red Devils), Benjamin Garcia (Captain), Mickaël Goudemand (Drs Catalan), Matthieu Laguerre (drsc), Corentin Le Cam (dragonscans). Paul Marcon (toulous Olympiques XIII). Anthony Marion ( toulouses Olympiq XIII) and Justin Sangaré (thrissore Olympix XIII,

Toulouse half Tony Gigot is key player for France. He has more than 150 Super League appearances and 16 Test caps to his name.

France are going to play at the World Cup. Most of their players will be coming off seasons in the Super League.

England, France, Greece, Samoa and Les Chanticleers are in Group A.

France haven't finished better than third in any of the last four World Cups. France will host the next tournament.

Jordan Meads is captain of Greece's squad. Stefanos Bastas, Nikolaos Bosmos, Terry Constantinou, Aris Dardamanis, Myles Gal, Jake Kambos, Greg Koutsimporgiorgos and Billy Magoulias are other players.

Lachlan Ilias is the key player for the Rabbitohs. He helped them to within one game of the Grand Final last season.

Jordan Meads and Ilias are the main players for Greece. Greece have been playing for them since 2014.

Greece have very little experience in their squad. Greece will struggle to match the game smarts and intensity of their opponents.

Greece have played football in European competitions and qualifiers. Greece took part in the Emerging Nations World Cup in 2018.

Josh Aloiai, Fa'amanu Brown, Stephen Crichton, Mathew Feagai, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Royce Hunt, Oregon Kaufusi (Parramatta Eels), Spencer Leniu (Penrith Panthers), Danny Levi (Huddersfield Giants), Jarome Luai (penriths), Taylan May (panthers), Tyrone May, Anthony Milford (newcastle Knights), Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders), Junior Paulo (parramattens), Jaydn Su’a (St George-Illawarra Dragons), Joseph SuaalII (Sydney Roosters), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (North Queensland Cowboys), Izack Tago (Pantters), Martin Taupau (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles), Brian To‘o ( Penrinsh Panthers) and Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers). Ligi Sao (hull FC).

Samoa's chief playmaker Jarome Luai is coming off a Grand Final win and a strong season at Penrith. Lua will take on a more dominant role for Samoa.

Josh Papalii and Junior Paulo were among the best props in the NRL this season. They hurt teams with their second-phase play. The pack also has veteran first-graders Josh Aloiai, Martin Taupau and Jaydn Su’a.

Samoa's lack of a recognised fullback could be a problem if they advance to the playoffs of the tournament. Stephen Crichton, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Joseph Suaalii and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are the leading contenders. None of them spent regular time at the back in the 2022 season.

Samoa have won 41 percent of their games in their three previous World Cup appearances. Samoa's current squad is the best ever assembled by the island nation.