Manly interchange hooker Heath L'Estrange would jump at the chance to play for France in the Rugby League World Cup if officials confirm his eligibility.

World Cup officials are looking into the 22-year-old former Australian schoolboy captain's eligibility and expect to learn next week if he can play.

Operations manager Tas Baitieri confirmed L'Estrange and Sydney Roosters prop Dave Shillington had both been named in French coach John Monie's World Cup squad on Friday, subject to eligibility clearances.

Shillington - Queensland's 18th man for this year's State of Origin series - will miss out because his great grand parents and not his grand parents were French.

L'Estrange, who's played all 16 games for the Sea Eagles off the bench this season, is hoping inquiries clear him to wear the tri-colours in October.

However, an adoption in L'Estrange's family tree needs to be clarified first.

"Heath is 100 per cent keen," said John Frare of Titan management, which manage L'Estrange's interests.

"He's 100-1 to play for Australia and it would be a wonderful experience."

World Cup officials are mindful of avoiding an embarrassing repeat of the Nathan Fien Tri-Nations selection debacle in 2006.

The Queensland-born hooker was selected for New Zealand for the series against Australia and Great Britain but it was later discovered it was Fien's great grandmother, not his grand mother who was born in New Zealand, leaving Kiwi officials red faced.

"Because of that case we're very twitchy on making sure we are squeaky clean," Baitieri told AAP.

"We don't want to make an error.

"We need birth certificates, passports or other documents stamped by a registrar as proof."

Monie has four World Cup squad members from the French domestic competition currently training with Brisbane.

"They play in the domestic competition and not for Les Catalans and when they have to play international competition they're too far off the pace," he said.

"The jump from club rugby league to international rugby league is just too big for them.

"They're good for 40 or 50 minutes and this eight weeks will be very good for them."

Monie, who has stamped out the dirty tactics the French were renowned for, wants his side to be competitive and give 100 per cent.

"If you're fit and you keep having a go, keep turning up, you never know who you can beat," said the former Parramatta premiership-winning coach.

Monie is eyeing off a semi-final spot if France can win its pool against Fiji and Scotland and the elimination game on the Gold Coast for the last spot in the top four.

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