Aussies team to beat - Calderwood

Calderwood will join Hull FC after the World Cup

Hull FC winger Mark Calderwood believes Australia are the hot favourites to win the World Cup on home soil.

Hull's new signing from Wigan, 26, is hoping to start for England in their opening game against Papua New Guinea in Townsville on Saturday, 25 October.

He told BBC Radio Humberside: "Australia are the favourites but if we catch them on a bad day we can win.

"We'll take each game as it comes and we've got some tough games but our aim is to get to the semi-finals at least."

The former Leeds Rhinos, who was initially in Scotland's World Cup squad, winger will join up with his new team-mates after the World Cup after signing a two-year deal.

Calderwood warmed up for the trip to Australia by scoring a try on his international debut in the 74-0 demolition of Wales at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium and he believes a place in the England team for the World Cup opener is there for the taking.

He said: "I'm just going there to learn and to be in and around some great players and if I can get the odd game that would be great and I'd obviously like to play against the Australians."

England coach Tony Smith has selected three wingers for the trip down under and Calderwood is hoping to get the nod on the left wing from the opener against PNG.

He added: "I'm in with a chance of playing on the left wing and I'll be doing everything I can to get that place."