England set to make late decision on O'Loughlin

England are set to make a final decision on whether skipper Sean O’Loughlin can play in the World Cup final after Friday’s captain’s run training session.

The loose forward looked a possible absentee from the Suncorp Stadium showdown against Australia after picking up a thigh strain in the dramatic semi-final against Tonga but his prospects have improved as the week has progressed.

England hooker Josh Hodgson is out with a knee ligament injury. James Roby replaces him with Chris Heighington named on the bench.

Australia are general 18-point favourites on the handicap and 1-8 to lift the trophy, but England have been cut by several firms to cause a massive upset. The underdogs are 7-1 with Betway to rule the world but are as short as 9-2. Valentine Holmes is 6-1 favourite to score the first try.
World Cup final teams (Saturday 9am, Brisbane)
England: G Widdop; J McGillvary, K Watkins, J Bateman, R Hall; K Brown, L Gale; C Hill, J Roby, J Graham, S Burgess, E Whitehead, S O’Loughlin. Interchange: A Walmsley, B Currie, T Burgess, C Heighington.
Australia: B Slater; D Gagai, W Chambers, J Dugan, V Holmes; M Morgan, C Cronk; A Woods, C Smith, D Klemmer, B Cordner, M Gillett, J McGuire. Interchange:W Graham, J McLean, R Campbell-Gillard, T Frizell.

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