Clamour for places welcomed by O’Loughlin as France lie in wait

The tough-tackling loose forward has endured an injury-riddled second half of 2013 and, although he played in both of Wigan’s trophy-winning finals, it is almost six months since he played three games in a row.

O’Loughlin is set to achieve that minor feat on his home ground when England play France in the quarter-finals at the DW Stadium on Saturday night.

The Achilles injury that restricted O’Loughlin to a solitary Super League play-off fixture – the Grand Final at Old Trafford – kept him out of England’s opening World Cup game against Australia, but he recovered in time to play key roles in the wins over Ireland and Fiji that earned Steve McNamara’s men the runners-up spot in Group A.

“I’m still probably chasing a little bit of match fitness, but I felt better in that game (on Saturday) than I did in the Ireland game,” he said.

“That was probably a bit more physical and intense than the Ireland game and hopefully that will serve me well going into next weekend if I’m involved.”

Although England trailed 6-0 to the Fijians and were level at half-time, they cut loose early in the second half and eventually ran out comfortable 34-12 winners and O’Loughlin believes it puts them in an ideal position going into the knockout stages.

“I think there were groans and moans at us coming in at half-time level, but we expected a tough battle. We were confident we could get the win but we knew it wasn’t going to come early.

“We were going to have to do the tough physical work to get on top of them before some of the boys put the skill on to get the tries.

“I think we’re in good shape. There’s a lot of competition for spots still, I don’t think anyone feels comfortable that they’re going to be in the team next week.

“There is a lot of pressure on us to play well and that’s a good position to be in. Steve Mac has got a few tough decisions to make.”

One man guaranteed his spot is South Sydney forward Sam Burgess, who produced a man-of-the-match performance against Fiji on his return from suspension.

“He’s a world-class player,” said O’Loughlin. “He has a real good presence on the field.

“He carries the ball strong. He’s a big bloke but he’s got a lot of skill and offloads about him. He doesn’t just do the hard work, he creates a lot of stuff.

“If he doesn’t get the offload, he plays the ball quicker so we can get something off the next play. He’s definitely going to be an important part of us going on in the competition.”

Scotland will be without second row forward Dale Ferguson for Friday’s quarter-final against holders New Zealand after he was given a two-match ban.

The Huddersfield Giants player was placed on report by referee Thierry Alibert midway through the first half of the Bravehearts’ 22-8 win over USA at Salford last Thursday for a “grapple” tackle on hooker Tui Samoa.

Ferguson was yesterday found guilty by an international match review panel of a grade B dangerous tackle and has until 11am today to accept the suspension or lodge an appeal.

Tomahawks hooker Joel Luani is facing a one-match ban after being found guilty of a dangerous throw in the same match but he will fight the charge at a hearing today.

If he fails to overturn the suspension, he will miss America’s quarter-final against Australia at Wrexham on Saturday afternoon.

England second row Ben Westwood was cleared of any wrongdoing after being put on report for allegedly using his forearm during his side’s 34-12 win over Fiji in Hull on Saturday.

Westwood is free for England’s quarter-final, but Newcastle Knights forward Korbin Sims will miss Fiji’s last-eight clash at Warrington on Sunday after he was given a two-match suspension for a grade B dangerous throw during the defeat to England.

Tonga winger Jorge Taufua received a one-game ban for a grade A dangerous throw during his side’s 16-0 win over Italy.

He will serve the suspension for his club Manly Sea Eagles after the Tongans were eliminated from the World Cup.

Bradford Bulls have agreed to release Australian hooker Heath L’Estrange on compassionate grounds.

L’Estrange, 28, who has spent the last four years with the Bulls and had another 12 months left on his contract, recently became a father for the first time and wants to bring his daughter up in Australia.

“I would like to thank Bradford Bulls for allowing me to be released from my contract,” he said.

“I have had an absolutely amazing time with the Bulls and I have played alongside some fantastic players.”