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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Schofield spent three seasons with the Balmain Tigers from 1985 to 1987, scoring a stunning 28 tries in just 47 games.

He helped the Tigers win the Amco Cup during his spell with the club and was the equal top try-scorer in the Winfield Cup in 1986.

The five-eighth believes the Australian coaches have to take some credit for allowing their English recruits to play their natural games and not stifling them.

“The coaches out there let them express themselves,” he said.

“John Bateman is an absolute freak and he’s being allowed to play like John Bateman can play. The Australian coaches have to take credit because they haven’t taken away the ability and that talent, and they’ve given them a free role.

Schofield expects more of England’s elite players to try their hand in the NRL, with the money on offer and the chance to pit themselves against the best in the world.

England Test internationals Jermaine McGillvary and Alex Walmsley have knocked back offers in the past, while Wayne Bennett is a noted admirer of St Helens prop Luke Thompson.

Souths boss Shane Richardson recently revealed the appeal of Thompson, Warrington hooker Daryl Clark and Leeds centre Harry Newman.

“Alex Walmsley would do well out there,” Schofield said.

“So would Luke Thompson. Having more English players playing in the NRL would only help the national team as they are playing at a high intensity week-in-week-out.”
 

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