We take a look at which NRL stars are likely to turn out for the minnow countries of the RLWC

WITH the 2017 Rugby League World Cup nations now decided, we take a look at which NRL stars are likely to turn out for the tournament’s minnow countries.

NRL stars likely to play for the minnows during the 2017 RLWC.

WITH the 2017 Rugby League World Cup nations now decided, we take a look at which NRL stars are likely to turn out for the tournament’s minnow countries.

France

Almost all the French players will be home grown as the code continues to try and revive the glory days of Les Chanticleers. Probably skipper Remi Casty will be familiar to NRL fans after his stint with the Roosters in 2015 while exciting fullback Morgan Escare is a player who could excite should he fire with his new club Wigan. Clever Leigh dummy half Eloi Pelissier will be another one to watch.

Lebanon

The Cedars are certain to call on the services of Robbie Farah, who first played for Lebanon as an 18-year old in 2002. With Bulldogs rake Michael Lichaa also available, Farah seems likely to slot into the halves with former club teammate Mitchell Moses.

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Eels prop Tim Mannah is also eligible and they could be joined by Panthers winger Josh Mansour, who could face an uphill battle to return to the Kangaroos once he recovers from his knee injury.

Josh Mansour of the Penrith Panthers rugby league team during Penrith training at Panthers Rugby League Academy, Penrith. Picture. Brett Costello

Samoa

The entirety of the Samoan squad will come from the NRL and Super League as they look to repeat their strong performances from the 2013 World Cup. They may be boosted by the inclusion of Anthony Milford and Joey Leilua should the duo miss selection for Australia while Sia Soliola, Sam Kasiano, David Nofoalouma, Junior Paulo and Frank Pritchard will also be in the frame for selection.

Scotland

The Bravehearts have just finished an excellent Four Nations campaign that saw them rebound from a tough start against Australia to give England a real scare and land a historic draw with New Zealand. Lachlan Coote, Euan Aitken, Kane Linnett and Luke Douglas will all likely return for the World Cup, as will Huddersfield star and Scottish legend Danny Brough, who could call time on his Test career after the tournament. Former Tigers and current Leeds prop Keith Galloway and Panthers hooker Peter Wallace could also play after missing this year’s Four Nations with injury.

Tonga

As with Samoa, the whole Tongan squad will be drawn from the NRL and Super League. Losing Jason Taumalolo, Solomone Kata, David Fusitu’a and Manu Ma’u to New Zealand is a blow but Michael Jennings could make a return after last playing for Mate Ma’a Tonga in 2008. Konrad Hurrell, Sam Moa and Daniel Tupou are all in the frame, as is Canterbury fullback Will Hopoate. If former Parramatta cult hero Fuifui Moi Moi can find a team for 2017 he could also make a comeback in what would be a perfect retirement tour for the 37-year old. Andrew Fifita is the wildcard and could throw his hat into the ring if he’s excluded from the Australian side.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 15: Konrad Hurrell of the Titans is tackled during the round 19 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Gold Coast Titans at WIN Jubilee Stadium on July 15, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Papua New Guinea

The majority of the Papua New Guinean team will be drawn from the PNG Hunters in the Queensland Cup but skipper David Mead, Tigers lower grader Rod Griffin, Dragons winger Nene Macdonald and Raiders pair Kurt Baptiste and Kato Ottio will all get a run if fit. The real prize for the Kumuls would be Leeds hooker James Segeyaro, who turned his back on Papua New Guinea in 2014 after accusing officials of disrespecting his late father. It seems unlikely that the wounds can be mended, but Segeyaro would give the Kumuls a real touch of class. Other English based players such as Menzie Yere, Dion Aiye and Charlie Wabo could also make the trip and Neville Costigan could pull on the jersey one more time if he opts to play on with the Townsville Blackhawks.

Wales

Wales pride themselves on producing nearly a full home grown squad and few of their squad from the 2016 qualifying tournament qualified through ancestry. Tyson Frizell played for Wales in the 2011 Four Nations and the 2013 World Cup and will be back in the team if he doesn’t play for Australia. The Dragons will boast a strong Super League contingent, including Warrington centre Rhys Evans, Widnes pair Gil Dudson and Lloyd White and Salford prop Craig Kopczak. Wigan prop Ben Flower, best known for knocking Lance Hohia into oblivion in the 2014 grand final, will also be a probable selection.

Australia's Tyson Frizell (L) vies with New Zealand's Martin Taupau during the rugby league Four Nations Final match between Australia and New Zealand at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on November 20, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Paul ELLIS / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Ireland

Ireland will be ruing the fact that Pat Richards has retired but will still have a couple of NRL and Super League players at their disposal, including Parramatta forward James Hasson, Knights hooker Rory Kostjaysn and St Helens fullback Shannon McDonnell. Veteran utility back Scott Grix and skipper Liam Finn, both who have tremendous experience for a variety of Super League clubs, are the other standouts in the squad.

Fiji

The Bati will need to draw deep from their well of wingers after Marika Koroibete and Sisa Waqa both left for rugby union but they’ll be hopeful of having the services of Semi Radradra and perhaps even Jarryd Hayne for the 2017 tournament. Skipper Kevin Naiqama, Bulldogs winger Tyrone Phillips, Roosters prop Kane Evans, the Sims brothers and Manly hooker Apisai Koroisau are the main attractions for the Fijians, who have made the semi finals in the last two World Cups.

USA

American rugby league has been through a hell of a lot since the last World Cup with a bitter battle between the AMNRL and the breakaway USARL competition ending when the USARL became the official governing body for the sport in the USA in 2014. As a result, the Tomahawks are no more and have been replaced by the Hawks. The focus for the USARL has been on developing home grown players from the local competition rather than relying on players who qualify through ancestry, meaning that Joseph Paulo and Bureta Faraimo, two of the Americans best in the 2013 tournament, are not assured of selection. The Hawks won the inaugural America’s Cup series against Canada and Jamaica earlier this year but the only player from that squad familiar to NRL fans is Junior Vaivai, who made the 2009 NYC team od the year and played 11 matches for the Rabbitohs and Panthers between 2009 and 2011.

St George's Paul Vaughan poses for a portrait during the St George Dragons 2016 Golf Day at The Coast golf course, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

Italy

The Azzuri will pack a serious punch as they look to build from their strong performances in the 2013 tournament. Paul Vaughan, Aiden Guerra and James Tedesco have all played for Italy before and should they miss selection for Australia they will all surely do so again. Super League pair Mark Minichiello and Josh Mantellato and former first graders Brendan Santi and Joel Reithmuller are also likely to make an appearance as is former Raiders skipper Terry Campese, who will play next season with the Queanbeyan Blues.