Wales confident of making impact at 2013 World Cup

Mike Nicholas, the Welsh Rugby League president, believes his country will be well placed to compete strongly in the newly expanded 2013 World Cup, if, as expected, they are included in the competition automatically. Wales failed to qualify for the 2008 tournament, but their progression since then should see them included among 12 teams that will go straight into the event in three years' time, alongside two further qualifiers. The Rugby League International Federation confirmed the expansion to 14 teams on Tuesday, despite initially opposing the Rugby Football League's proposal. Details of the qualifying system will be revealed later this year but Wales look certain to join the 10 teams who took part in 2008, with Lebanon also hopeful of securing the other automatic spot. "It was a shock not to compete the last time, but as a country we were in a transitional phase," Nicholas said. "Historically we have played in two World Cup semi-finals, and we now have three more years to bring Welsh youngsters through. "We now have two professional teams, with the likes of Elliott Kear and Lloyd White playing in Super League for the Crusaders, and a host of youngsters playing at South Wales Scorpions this year. We're also hopeful that the likes of the Evans brothers at Warrington [Ben and Rhys] will come through, and with Iestyn [Harris] at the helm as coach we are very confident that we can have a strong team in 2013." The Catalans Dragons captain, Olivier Elima, will miss Friday night's trip to Wigan after being handed a one-match suspension following his dismissal against St Helens. Elima was found guilty of a careless tackle on Jonny Lomax and also fined £300. The Salford centre Stuart Littler escaped suspension for the same offence against Leeds due to his previous good record.