Of England's team for their World Cup warm-up match against Wales in Doncaster this evening, arguably only Martin Gleeson, a converted stand-off and captain for the night, is guaranteed to feature in the opening group game against Papua New Guinea in Townsville, Australia, in 15 days' time.

Gleeson will revert to his normal right-side centre position for the encounter against the Kumuls in the humidity of northern Queensland. Just how much Tony Smith, the England coach, will learn on a chilly night in South Yorkshire is unclear, but the Wigan Warriors trio of Mark Calderwood on the wing, Gareth Hock in the second row and Mick Higham at hooker can press the most obvious claims for inclusion.

Smith's first-choice line-up will be dominated by the majority of a 15-strong contingent from Leeds Rhinos and St Helens, who are rested for the match against a youthful Wales side after last Saturday's Grand Final. The squad of 24 leaves for Australia on Monday, with a good win important to the self-belief fostered during Smith's unbeaten two years in charge.

“There are some players who can enhance their reputations or diminish them,” Smith said. “Even for the nine players who aren't travelling with us, it's important to do well because they could be put on standby.

“Some haven't played for five or six weeks and they need a game before Townsville. We used to have an international under-23s side, but the jump from academy level to open age is massive and this game will provide important experience.”

The greatest encouragement is provided by the selection of a Harlequins trio of Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook, 22, who hails from the Isle of Dogs, the Gravesend-born Tony Clubb, 21, and Rob Purdham, 28, a farmer from Cumbria who has been based in the capital for the past six seasons and was unexpectedly called into Smith's World Cup squad this week.

The Oxford-born Darrell Griffin, who plays for Huddersfield Giants but also came through the London club's academy structure in their Broncos guise, is alongside Clubb on the interchange bench. “The production line is bearing fruit now,” Phil Jones, Harlequins' player performance manager, said. “All London junior players have a clear pathway to playing full international rugby league. A few years ago, they might have had ambitions at playing Super League, now they can look at Louie and Clubby and aim right for the top. The amount of talent coming through is exceptional.”

Richard Myler has shot to prominence with Salford City Reds this year and Smith will keep a close eye on how the 18-year-old scrum half performs against inexperienced opponents, who are in a rebuilding phase having failed to qualify for the World Cup. Wales have begun the process under John Dixon, but the Celtic Crusaders coach is without half his first-choice squad because of injuries.

“There are a number of players coming through the ranks who will have a chance to shine and it will be a massive step for them,” Dixon said. “These players are the long-term future of Wales.” Among them is Rhys Griffiths, of Castleford Tigers, son of Clive Griffiths, the former Wales coach.