The Rugby League World Cup gets underway in England on Saturday, October 15 with the group stage consisting of four groups of four teams, with the top two qualifying for the quarter finals.

Australia and New Zealand (both priced at -10000) are heavy favourites to win groups B and C respectively, while Samoa (-125) are expected to edge out hosts England (+110) in Group A, and Tonga (-1800) favoured over Papa New Guinea (+750) in Group D.

The opening game of the tournament sees England (+140) host Samoa (-138) in a challenging first match for the hosts at St James' Park.

Samoa boast exciting talents such winger Brian To'o and he could be key to Samoa's chances of going all the way. Samoa are third favourites to win the tournament (+1200), ahead of England (+1650).

However, the hosts will be buoyed by the most recent meeting between the two sides at the World Cup where England prevailed 30-10 in 2017.

Whoever wins will likely top the group, a crucial factor considering group runners-up will likely come up against Tonga (+1700 to win the tournament) in the quarter finals.

If England do top their group, momentum and the draw mean they are considered to have a good shot at making the final (+188).

In their own first match, the Tongans (-2500) are favoured over Papua New Guinea (+1800).

In the other opening-day fixture, the market unsurprisingly has Australia (-4100) running out comfortable winners against Fiji (+5000). They're also the favourites to retain their world title (-188) and win the tournament for a 12th time.

Behind Australia as second favourites for the Paul Barrière Trophy are New Zealand (+410), who are overwhelming favourites (-4100) against Lebanon (+10000) in their first match.

In other first-round fixtures, the Cook Islands (-650) are priced to beat Wales (+550), France (-1400) are favoured over Greece (+1400), Ireland (-3300) face Jamaica (+3300), and Scotland (-400) are favourites against Italy (+360).

Just like the men, Australia's women (-2500) are favourites to win the Rugby League Women's World Cup. They're tipped ahead of New Zealand (+1000) and hosts England (+1600).

England are the favourites (-120) for the Rugby League Wheelchair World Cup, which runs simultaneously. France (-110), Wales (+2000) and Australia (+2500) are also worth consideration on the market.