The competition has been set alight in 2019 by the Raiders’ Pommy contingent, including new recruit John Bateman.

British stars have been promiment in the NRL for several seasons, with James Graham helping the Bulldogs into grand finals in 2012 and 2014, Sam Burgess and his brothers leading South Sydney to their first premiership in four decades, and Gareth Widdop starring for St George Illwarra.

But up to seven English players could feature on Friday when the Raiders host the Rabbitohs in the semi-finals, with a spot in the grand final up for grabs.
 

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Bateman is widely seen as the best buy of the season and now more NRL clubs are expected to look to Super League in the UK to recruit.

Salfordian Morley starred for the Roosters from 2000 to 2006 as a rough and ready enforcer, playing in three NRL grand finals – and he's certain more of his countrymen will follow.

“I think we’ll be seeing more British players in the NRL,” he told Inside Sport. “Especially as they’ve all done extremely well.

"I’m sure we’ll see a number of NRL clubs looking at the Super League trying to get some English players. It is a lot more lucrative now in the NRL.

“It’s just human nature that we’ll be seeing more British lads over there. It’s not great for the Super League competition because we don’t want to lose all our best talent.

"But you can’t knock a lad for going for the experience and for making a few quid as well.”

Morley is proud of the impact that the likes of the Burgesses, Graham, Widdop, Bateman, John Hodgson and Elliot Whitehead have had in Australia.

“Gaz Ellis was fantastic for the Wests Tigers for several years,” he said.

“Sam Burgess, he’s won a title and is in my opinion, has been the best forward in the world for a number of years. We’ve got the other lads, there’ll all doing really well at Canberra.

“I think it’s great, it gives the English fans a little bit interest in the NRL. It’s great for them boys personally to enjoy the experience, but it’s also great for the English supporters to get behind the English lads and cheer them home.”

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