Tony Smith's side will then have 10 days to acclimatise before they kick off the tournament against Papua New Guinea on October 25.

England will spend seven days on the Gold Coast before moving up to tropical Townsville three days before their opening Pool One game.

Papua New Guinea will arrive in Australia a day later and set up camp in Cairns until moving down to Townsville next Monday.

Ireland also set off today while Scotland fly out tomorrow and, like their Celtic cousins, will base themselves in Sydney, at least until flying down to Canberra for their first match.

For England at least, no stone has been left unturned during the meticulous planning and preparation which began almost 12 months ago.

The Rugby Football League have played their part by funding a fact-finding trip by Smith and team manager Graeme Thompson in January and they have upgraded the 24-man squad and 11-strong backroom team to business class for the flight to Brisbane.

"Tony is well known for his attention to detail," said Thompson, who took over as manager from Abi Ekoku in 2007.

The England management have taken a lesson from the last tour by taking a second physiotherapist, as well as a full-time masseur, doctor, kit man and strength and conditioning coach, all working under Smith and his assistant Steve McNamara.

Also making the trip are a media manager and a management consultant while Thompson says they will also "bring in people locally as and when required".

France will today become the first of the nine visiting nations to set foot in Australia. Led by their Australian coach John Monie, the French will land in Brisbane this evening and have a light run at the Broncos' training ground before heading north to set up camp on the Sunshine Coast to prepare for their opening game against Scotland in Canberra on October 26.

Warrington second rower Louis Anderson has won the right to switch his allegiance from New Zealand to Tonga in time to play for them in the World Cup.

The 23-year-old won 13 caps for the Kiwis but, injury permitting, will now make his debut for Tonga against Ireland in Parramatta on October 27.

Under Rugby League International Federation rules, players who are eligible to play for more than one country can make one application to switch their allegiance in any two-year period.

The RLIF executive has now cleared both Anderson and Antonio Kaufusi to play for Tonga and gave permission for another New Zealander, Ben Roberts, to play for Samoa, while Australian Jarryd Hayne can represent Fiji.