Aaron Woods: Four Nations squads quality impresses Kangaroos prop

Wests Tigers prop Aaron Woods is a regular for New South Wales in State of Origin

Australia prop Aaron Woods says the quality throughout the 2016 Four Nations squads is "world class", with key players fit in all four teams.

England have captain Sam Burgess and Woods' fellow front-rower James Graham, both stars of the southern hemisphere's National Rugby League, in their squad.

New Zealand possess Jason Taumalolo and Shaun Johnson, while Scotland feature their NRL stars such as Lachlan Coote.

"It's the best of the best this year," Woods told BBC Sport.

"Everyone's fit. In the past couple of years we've had players pull out through injury so it'll be good."

The Kangaroos were without star playmaker Johnathan Thurston in the 2014 competition, but he returns this time around alongside a host of new but in-form faces.

Back-rowers Trent Merrin and Tyson Frizell, three-quarters Justin O'Neill and Valentine Holmes plus prop Shannon Boyd are in Mal Meninga's plans, alongside regular picks such as skipper Cameron Smith, half-back Cooper Cronk and versatile back Darius Boyd.

Michael Morgan, Valentine Holmes and Tyson Frizell are part of the new breed of Kangaroos stars

"The standard is world class, we can go out there and test ourselves against the best," Woods added.

"There are players like Jesse Bromwich, the Burgess boys and Liam Farrell from Wigan who played really well in the Grand Final. We're really looking forward to it."

Cultural experience

Woods will extend his stay in England beyond the Four Nations, on his maiden voyage to Great Britain.

With former Wests Tigers team-mates Gareth Ellis and Mark Flanagan in the diary for a meet-up, and a 'bucket-list' of locations to visit, Woods cannot wait to explore beyond rugby league.

"I'm doing a bit of sightseeing with the missus," Woods continued. "It's a place I've always wanted to come to but never had the chance. I'd love to play footy here one day too.

"We're going everywhere, though my missus has sorted out the schedule. I want to see the London Eye, see Big Ben and there's a lot to do in London. I'll just go with the flow."