Super League's World Cup round-up

Every week throughout Rugby League World Cup 2021, Super League will follow the exploits of the competition's stars who are taking part.

A total of 80 players will be involved, representing 11 of the 16 competing nations, and showcasing the depth of talent in Betfred Super League.

The tournament kicks off this Saturday October 15, when England take on Samoa in a mouth-watering clash at Newcastle's St James' Park.

We kick off the coverage with a look back at Super League players' involvement in this weekend's warm-up matches and a look ahead to the opening clashes of RLWC2021.

Seven players from the competition scored tries on Friday night as Shaun Wane's England produced an impressive 50-0 win over Fiji at Salford's AJ Bell Stadium.

Red Devils duo Andy Ackers and Kallum Watkins both touched down on home soil in the first half alongside George Williams and Joe Batchelor, with Mike McMeeken, Mike Cooper and Ryan Hall crossing after the break.

? Another try-assist for Dom Young!

? Captain @George7Williams is over...

??????? #EnglandRL
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 7, 2022

Former St Helens prop Luke Thompson and Huddersfield academy product Dom Young completed England's list of try scorers, and the latter's debut display gave Wane an interesting selection dilemma for the Samoa game, with Hall and Tommy Makinson also competing for wing spots.

France named an almost complete Super League line-up when they took on Tonga at Halifax, but after Cesar Rouge's second half try briefly closed the gap to 10 points, the Pacific Island nation eventually proved too strong to win 48-12.

Fresh from his Grand Final try for St Helens, Konrad Hurrell was among the Tongan try scorers, while Leeds-bound front rower Justin Sangare touched down for France in an entertaining clash.

Wakefield winger Kyle Evans was among the try scorers for Wales as they went down 38-22 to a Lebanon side that had Wigan's Abbas Miski on the wing.

Hull KR back rower Kane Linnett was Scotland's sole scorer in a 28-4 defeat to England Knights, who had four tries from Warrington's Josh Thewlis in a stand-out performance.

??????? Try Scotland.

? Kane Linnett goes over for the hosts...

??????? #EnglandRL Knights lead 22-4!

? @TheSportsman
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 8, 2022

There was significant Super League involvement in the game between Cumbria and Jamaica, with former St Helens, Wakefield, Leeds and Warrington prop Kyle Amor among the try scorers in his side's 28-12 win.

And a Super League icon brought down the curtain on his glittering career when Thomas Leuluai started for New Zealand in their 74-0 win at Leeds Rhinos, with his Wigan team-mate Willie Isa also lining up as a guest in the crushing Kiwis win.

Super League RLWC2021 Player of the Week

Jack Welsby laid down his credentials for an England starting shirt against Samoa with an accomplished first half display in the win over Fiji, with Andy Ackers and George Williams among a host of others to stake their claims.

Super League RLWC2021 Quote of the Week

"This feels massive. There's this buzz around the camp about how big this is, how big an opportunity this is, and how good a squad we've got. We've probably been overlooked." Super League Young Player of the Year Jack Welsby talks up England's RLWC2021 chances.

Super League RLWC2021 Ones to Watch this week

All eyes will focus on England's tournament prospects when they kick the tournament off against much-fancied Samoa in Newcastle on Saturday, with Shaun Wane's side set to include a host of Betfred Super League stars. Huddersfield hooker Danny Levi, Hull prop Ligi Sao and Catalans utility Tyrone May are all in a Samoan squad that chose not to have a warm-up match ahead of the tournament.

? Ligi Sao has been called up to the Samoa squad for @RLWC2021 pic.twitter.com/T237uVE3JC
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) October 8, 2022

Later that evening former St Helens favourite and Huddersfield-bound Kevin Naiqama will lead his Fiji side into arguably the biggest challenge of the tournament against current holders Australia at Headingley.

On Sunday, Scotland's Super League contingent of Ryan Brierley, James Bell, Liam Hood, Kane Linnett, Sam Luckley and Matty Russell will be integral to their prospects of victory against Italy at Kingston Park, Newcastle.

Huddersfield trio Ashton Golding, Michael Lawrence and Keiran Rush will also have big roles to play for Jamaica against Ireland, who have a host of established Super League players headed by Grand Finalists Richie Myler and James Bentley, and brothers George and Toby King.

Wigan winger Abbas Miski should provide the competition's sole representative in the final game of the weekend as Lebanon take on the daunting challenge of facing New Zealand at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Super League RLWC2021 Key Battle of the Week

Huddersfield stalwart Michael Lawrence should get a close up view of how good new Giants NRL signing and fellows front rower Harry Rushton is when Jamaica take on Ireland in a fascinating clash at Leeds Rhinos' Headingley on Sunday afternoon.