England v PNG: Teams

England and Papua New Guinea will get the 2008 World Cup underway on Saturday when they go head-to-head in Townsville.

The tournament returns to the international calendar for the first time since 2000 when Australia were crowned champions.

Once again the Kangaroos will start as strong favourites, particularly as they are on home soil, but England have headed Down Under full of confidence.

Experienced forward Jamie Peacock will captain a starting XIII that contains no less than 11 players from Grand Finalists Leeds and St Helens.

Debutant

Lee Smith is one of those to come from the Rhinos, the winger being handed his international debut by his former club coach, Tony Smith.

Elsewhere, Wigan's Gareth Hock has been included in the back row with the only other player from outside Super League's top two to start the game being Warrington centre Martin Gleeson.

James Graham - the 2008 Super League Man of Steel - will make his first start in the front row alongside captain Peacock and hooker James Roby.

Rob Burrow and Leon Pryce will form the half-back pairing with cover being provided by stand-off Danny McGuire.

Also on the bench are three forwards - Warrington's Adrian Morley being joined by Saints duo Maurie Fa'asavalu and Jon Wilkin.

Coach Smith admits the players are well prepared for their opening fixture, including working inside a heat chamber to be ready for the gruelling conditions expected at the Dairy Farmers' Stadium.

"I just need to hold them back a bit," he said. "You can only do so much planning, preparation and training.

"We think we've done a good job so far but the proof will be in the performance. I've got every bit of faith in these guys, they're very committed and they've done everything asked of them so far.

Robins included

Hull Kingston Rovers pair Stanley Gene and Makali Aizue have both been named in the Papua New Guinea side.

Coach Adrian Lam named Aizue prop, with the evergreen Gene lining up with his Robins team-mate in the pack. He will start at loose forward.

Salford's John Wilshere, who will captain the side from full-back, believes the underdogs can spring an early surprise in the competition.

"We want to go out there and win this game," he said.

"We're not worried about the other teams at the moment, this is one game which we are totally zoned in on. If we can get a win it will get our World Cup rolling.

Over half of the Kumuls starting 17 play either in the country's domestic league or in junior rugby league in Queensland.

The team includes just two players from PNG's domestic competition. However, up to four more could find themselves sat on the substitutes' bench, which will be finalised closer to kick-off.

England: Paul Wellens (St Helens); Adrian Gardner (St Helens), Martin Gleeson (Warrington), Keith Senior (Leeds), Lee Smith (Leeds); Leon Pryce (St Helens), Rob Burrow (Leeds); Jamie Peacock (Leeds, capt), James Roby (St Helens), James Graham (St Helens), Gareth Hock (Wigan), G Ellis (Leeds), Kevin Sinfield (Leeds).
Replacements: Danny McGuire (Leeds), Adrian Morley (Warrington), Maurie Fa'asavalu (St Helens), Jon Wilkin (St Helens).

Papua New Guinea: John Wilshere (Salford, capt); George Kepa (Brisbane Norths), Jesse Joe Parker (Masta Mark Rangers), Tu'u Maori (Sydney Roosters), David Moore (Gold Coast); Rod Griffin (Northern Pride), Keith Peters (Penrith); Makali Aizue (Hull KR), Paul Aiton (Penrith), Trevor Exton (Ipswich), Neville Costigan (Canberra), James Nightingale (Windsor Wolves), Stanley Gene (Hull KR).
Replacements (three to be omitted): Rodney Pora (M & J Muruks), George Moni (M & J Muruks), Jason Chan (Windsor Wolves), Charlie Wabo (M & J Muruks), Nixon Kolo (Masta Mark Rangers), Anton Kui (Bingtangor Lahanis), Menzie Yere (Agmark Gurias).