Clubs circle English powerhouse

English powerhouse Alex Walmsley has been targeted by a number of NRL clubs.

The 115kg prop has been approached by several NRL clubs, touted as the 'next big thing'.

Missing the World Cup opener due to a virus, the 27-year-old will be unleashed by Wayne Bennett to make his World Cup debut this Saturday against Lebanon.

Tom Burgess, who made a successful switch from the Super League, Tom Burgess admires Walmsley's 'brutal approach' towards a game.

"He's had a great year at Saints, a great couple of years," Burgess said.

"He makes so many metres, he's such a handful to put down.

"I was gutted for the lad to miss out last week and he'll be making up for it ... putting on a show for the Australian crowd."

The front-runners for Walmsley's signature include Newcastle, Parramatta, Wests Tigers and St George Illawarra.

English hooker James Roby, who's played alongside Walmsey at club level, admits that his impact off the bench could be the winning edge, in the final rounds of the tournament.

"I'm confident he'll do that. He's been training very well and he's a big lad. He's awkward (to play against), he attracts defenders towards him," Roby said.

"He runs very hard, he's very big. He's a tough player, he'll give it his all.

"He'll come on and you'll see a few tackle busts and a few big hits. He's all action, high impact."

Walmsey played 168 games for Batley Bulldogs and St. Helens, and now he's hot-property in Australia.