90 clubs represented at World Cup
Super League club Catalan will have the highest number of players on show at the upcoming World Cup, with 20 members of their squad set to appear in the tournament.
The Dragons are one of 90 different clubs from around the globe that will be represented this Autumn, as the world of rugby league descends on England, Wales and France.
Four-fifths of the selected Catalan players are French, with 16 of ‘Les Chanticleers’ squad hailing from Stade Gilbert Brutus.
The second most represented club is recently crowned NRL champions Sydney Roosters, who have had 17 players selected.
Seven Tricolours players help make up the Australia and New Zealand squads, with stars such as Michael Jennings and Sonny Bill Williams set to feature.
Super League Grand Finalists Wigan and Warrington are the two most represented English clubs, with the double-winning Warriors providing 12, whilst the Wolves have had 10 players selected.
The 10 clubs with the most players selected are as follows:
1. Catalan Dragons – 20
2. Syndey Roosters – 17
3. New Zealand Warriors – 15
4. Cronulla Sharks – 13
5. Wigan Warriors – 12
6. North Queensland Cowboys – 11
Parramatta Eels – 11
8. Newcastle Knights – 10
Warrington Wolves – 10
10. Penrith Panthers – 9
All Telstra Premiership and Super League sides are represented, along with a number of lesser known clubs further down the rugby league ladder.
Kingstone Press Championship outfits Featherstone and Sheffield will each have five players on the biggest stage, whist in the same division Whitehaven will also have an interest in the tournament.
Marras centre Jessie Joe Parker, also known as Jessie Joe Nandye, has again been selected by Papua New Guinea, after he previously featured for them in the 2008 World Cup.
Port Moresby Bulldogs, a club from Parker’s native Papua New Guinea, will have four players at the tournament – the same amount as Super League‘s Bradford, Hull KR and Widnes.
Meanwhile, Auckland Rugby League side Point Chevalier Pirates, whose former players include current Halifax coach Karl Harrison and retired dual-code international Henry Paul, will also have a player at the World Cup – Samoa‘s Arden McCarthy.