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Martin Offiah has hailed the form of Newcastle Knights' English winger Dominic Young who has become the pin-up of this year's World Cup.

Legendary English winger Martin Offiah has praised the cut-throat nature of the NRL for helping fine-tune Newcastle's Dominic Young into the break-out star of the Rugby League World Cup.

Young, 20, arrived in Australia with little fanfare having only played two Super League games.

But the winger, along with Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley, has become one of the poster boys of this year's tournament back on home soil following breathtaking performances in England's opening two wins over Samoa and France.

Young has displaced England's record all-time tryscorer Ryan Hall in the side and Offiah said head coach Shaun Wane had no option but to stick with the youngster.

"It's almost impossible to not pick Dom now," Offiah told AAP.

"We've seen plenty of world-class outside backs go out to Australia and come back with their tails between their legs.

"I heard James Graham say that Dom wasn't particularly successful in his first year in the NRL.

"But credit to him, he has backed himself by sticking, he's got through his problems and now he commands a position in an NRL team.

"What he is doing in this tournament as a 20-year-old is absolutely phenomenal."

Offiah said that Young's newly-capped England teammate Radley had also won over any detractors about his commitment to the cause.

Radley is the son of a Sheffield-born father but had spent the early part of his life eager to represent Australia and NSW.

He will get the chance to play in his father's hometown when England wrap up their final group game against Greece at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

Radley switched allegiance to England earlier this year but was met with criticism from former GB great Garry Schofield, who said he shouldn't be anywhere near the team because of where he was born.

"I don't sit on the same side as that," Offiah said.

"We live in a diverse world in 2022.

"The way Victor has been playing, he's sung the anthem, given blood and sweat and put in some great performances and you can't look past that."