Craig Gower named in Italy Rugby League World Cup squad

Craig Gower. Image credit Sky Sports /Getty

Former London Broncos captain Craig Gower has been included in Italy's 24-man World Cup squad.

Former London Broncos captain Craig Gower has been included in Italy's 24-man World Cup squad.

The 35-year-old Gower, who has played for the Kangaroos and for Italy's rugby union team, left the Londoners in June to take up a short-term deal with Newcastle Knights.

Experienced St Helens' prop Anthony Laffranchi is also included, along with Warrington's teenage centre James Saltonstall and ex-Manly prop Vic Mauro, who was released by Salford towards the end of the season.

The team will be led by full-back Anthony Minichiello - another former Australia international - who is joined in the squad by brother Mark.

Italy will play England in a warm-up match in Salford on October 19, a week before opening their World Cup campaign against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

Squad: Christophe Calegari (Lezignan), Terry Campese (Canberra), Joel Celerino (North West Roosters), Chris Centrone (North Sydney Bears), Fabrizio Ciaurro (Tirreno Sharks), Cameron Ciraldo (Penrith), Ben Falcone (South's Logan Magpies), Sam Gardel (South's Logan Magpies), Aidan Guerra (Sydney Roosters), Ryan Ghetti (Northern Pride), Craig Gower (Newcastle Knights), Gavin Hiscox (Central Capras), Anthony Laffranchi (St Helens), Vic Mauro (Salford), Anthony Minichiello (Sydney Roosters, cap), Mark Minichiello (Gold Coast Titans), Joshua Mantellato (Newcastle Knights), Dean Parata (Parramatta), Joel Riethmuller (North Queensland), Brenden Santi (Wests Tigers), James Saltonstall (Warrington), James Tedesco (Wests Tigers), Ryan Tramonte (Windsor Wolves), Paul Vaughan (Canberra).

Sky sports