WOLVES' WORLD CUP WONDERS? (From Warrington Guardian)

WOLVES' WORLD CUP WONDERS?

WARRINGTON Wolves fans have had their interest in the Rugby League World Cup 2000 heightened by the prospect of a number of their Wilderspool favourites being involved.

The decision to split Great Britain into four separate teams of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland means a much bigger number of home grown Super League players will take to the world stage.

GB coach Andy Goodway may be bemoaning the move but it has generated much excitement in the Wolves squad.

Mark Forster, Lee Penny, John Duffy, Jason Roach and Mike Wainwright all competed in Test matches for Scotland and Ireland recently and are already looking towards 2000.

Lee Briers and new signing Dean Busby will no doubt push their claims for Wales while Mark Hilton, Jon Roper and Steve McCurrie will be among the players knocking on the England door.

Scotland's Duffy told the GUARDIAN: "We were all talking about it when we heard. It's a long way off but we're all looking forward to it.

"Playing at that level would be a great experience and can only improve your game."

Ireland's Forster has made no secret of his ambition to play his second Testimonial season for the Wolves in 2000 and said following that up with an appearance in the World Cup would be the perfect stop on his playing career.

The veteran winger, who will be on the eve of his 36th birthday when the competition kicks off, added: "You couldn't finish on any higher stage than the World Cup and finishing my second Testimonial season like that would be the perfect way to bow out from playing.

"I love playing for Ireland and I really believe they will put in a strong performance. We've got players like Terry O'Connor, James Lowes, Gary Connolly, Tommy Martin and Martin Crompton who are the best around.

"Playing the likes of Australia or New Zealand would be tough but the only way to bring the best out in yourself is to take on the best."

Scottish wingman Roach believes splitting up GB will generate maximum interest in the World Cup while it is staged in this country.

He said: "Such a big competition is a great way to advertise the game and develop it in new areas.

"Having their own national side is bound to get more people interested in Scotland, Wales and Ireland rather than just having a GB side where most of the support will come from the M56 corridor.

"A country like Wales has got a huge rugby knowledge but they are only going to be interested in their own national side and developing clubs in places like Cardiff should be easier on the back of this."

Sixteen nations will be involved in the competition with the first round draw due to take place in February.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.