The 2022 Rugby League World Cup is on the way, with Australia, New Zealand and tournament hosts England once again entering as the favourites.

And why wouldn’t they?

The undoubted three strongest nations in the world make up most of the players in the two biggest rugby league competitions domestically, being the NRL and the Super League.

But while Australia, New Zealand and England have had it their own way in World Cup tournaments up until now, that may not be so much the case this time around, with a number of nations growing in stature.

And that means there could be plenty of value to be found with sportsbettingday, with the three top nations still the heavy favourites to claim the coveted trophy.

Here are the three nations most likely to challenge the Kangaroos, Kiwis and tournament hosts.

Tonga

Tonga were the fairytale story of the 2017 Rugby League World Cup when this tournament was last hosted in Australia and New Zealand.

Incredibly, the Tongans made the knockout stage where they managed to get the better of Lebanon in a thriller, then fell to England by just two points.

They retain much of the squad who helped them into the semi-finals last time, and has had some excellent results - including a win over Australia - since.

Samoa

If Tonga were the fairytale story last time around, then it's Samoa with the potential to replicate the feat this time around.

A strong squad demolished the Cook Islands during the NRL's recent pacific tests in Campbelltown, and will have plenty more stars join them for the World Cup.

Penrith's Stephen Crichton, Brian To'o and Jarome Luai, as well as Canberra's Josh Papalii, are all likely starts for the island nation who have been growing in stature.

During the last World Cup, they were handed a beatdown to the tune of 46 points to nil by the Aussies in the quarter-final, but don't expect that to be the case when they come up against the top teams this time around.

France

France may come into the tournament as rank outsiders, with the international game on a steady decline for many years in the European nation, however, living across the channel from England, the domestic game has had many boosts.

While the Catalan Dragons continue to be a star in the Super League competition, Toulouse also managed to play their first season of top flight English football this year.

Relegation awaits the club at the end of the season, but the French game is in a stronger position than it has been for many, many years.

They will struggle to challenge the top nations, but a couple of upsets could put them on the path to gain in confidence, and if they reach the knockouts, then anything is possible.