The newly-crowned champions and St Helens, who also included just five overseas players in their Old Trafford line-up, one of whom is England qualified, are expected to provide the nucleus of the national team that will head Down Under on Wednesday week to contest the World Cup.

And after a compelling grand final England have every reason to expect big things from their heroes according to Leeds coach Brian McClennan, the New Zealander who led the Kiwis to a 24-0 over Australia in the 2005 Tri Nations final.

"It bodes well for the national team," said McClennan. "Looking at the players who were out there tonight and the quality of those from other clubs and I think England will have a very good World Cup.

"I think Australia are ready to be beat. The invincibility tag has gone now. Whoever gets them in the final can be confident of beating them."

England coach Tony Smith, who was in charge at Leeds for their grand final win last season, will name his 24-man World Cup squad tomorrow when Lee Smith and Jamie Jones-Buchanan have a strong chance featuring.

Jones-Buchanan was troubled by injuries earlier in the year but has been in top form in recent months and delivered another strong display on Saturday, a week after impressing in the Rhinos' final eliminator victory over Wigan.

It would be a major surprise were Smith not to win a full England call for the first time, and not just because his namesake Tony Smith has limited options in the absence of the injured Gareth Raynor.

The 22-year-old acquitted himself magnificently at full-back against St Helens to win the Harry Sunderland Trophy as man of the match and would be useful cover for Paul Wellens as well as being a strong candidate for a starting place on the wing, where his form has been strong for much of 2008.

The Leeds players certain to be on the plane to Australia next week are Keith Senior, Danny McGuire, Rob Burrow, Jamie Peacock, Gareth Ellis and Kevin Sinfield while Matt Diskin has an outside chance as back-up for James Roby. The St Helens hooker will be joined by Wellens, Ade Gardner, Leo Pryce, James Graham, Maurie Fa'asavalu and, probably, Jon Wilkin.

If Lee Smith and Jones-Buchanan do make it that would leave the national coach with nine other spots to fill from his train-on squad which comprises all the players not involved in the grand final.

Some of those spots will got to Warrington duo Adrian Morley and Martin Gleeson, Castleford centre Michael Shenton, Hull KR winger Peter Fox, Wigan second row Gareth Hock and Hull's Warrington-bound prop Garreth Carvell.