A year later than initially planned, the Rugby League World Cup is now just days away with 16 nations set to compete for the chance to be crowned the best team in the world.

Australia will defend the crown they won on home soil in 2017 and Mal Meninga's side are the team to beat as they try to win the tournament for the 12th time.

However, there is not much value in backing the Aussies to do the business once again, so we look at some of the other contenders for this year's event in England.

Kiwis can claim second World Cup crown

This year's Rugby League World Cup should be a landmark occasion for the sport, with a record 16 teams set to compete.

England last hosted the event in 2013 when Australia ran out 34-2 winners over New Zealand in the final at Old Trafford. The Aussies also lifted the trophy when the tournament was last held five years ago, but as the odds-on favourites to triumph once again, it is hard to back them with any conviction.

Australia will also most likely need to face New Zealand on their way to the final, and the Kiwis look in the best position to go all the way.

The likes of James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota and Scott Sorensen, who have won back-to-back NRL Premierships, have been named in New Zealand's 24-man squad.

The Penrith Panthers trio are joined in the squad by Dylan Brown, Isaiah Papali'i and Marata Niukore from the Parramatta Eels, who the Panthers beat in the NRL Grand Final.

Kiwis head coach Michael Maguire has included one new face in his squad, but centre Sebastian Kris has scored 25 tries in 44 appearances for Canberra and should not be fazed by the big stage.

Jury still out on England

Shaun Wane and his England team will carry the hopes of a nation this winter but they have been given an incredibly tough opening fixture in Group A against Samoa.

Even if they come unstuck during that battle, Wane's side should have too much class for both France and Greece. England should, at the very least, qualify for the knockout stages, but while they have some world-class players within their ranks, there is a lack of strength in depth in certain areas of the squad.

John Bateman and Tom Burgess will provide plenty of power and aggression in the forwards, but Wane may need another few years to work with the group before they are ready to compete at the very top.

Prediction

Due to their success in the competition, Australia deserve to be the favourites, but Meninga has named an inexperienced squad for this year's tournament.

Over half a dozen players have yet to play for Australia and that lack of continuity means the value is away from the Aussies.

While Samoa's squad are good enough to reach the knockout stages, it is Tonga that are likely to cause Australia and New Zealand the most problems.

New Zealand are 7/2 to lift the trophy, and they should be the team to beat in England, especially with so much NRL experience running through their team. Even some of their inexperienced players have earned their stripes Down Under, and it is up to the other 15 sides to stop the Kiwis from winning their first title in 14 years.