Daniel Matthews
Updated on: October 8, 2024 12:55 am GMT
England Selects Young Talent for Samoa Test Series
England Rugby League head coach Shaun Wane has announced a 31-man performance squad in preparation for the upcoming two-match Test series against Samoa, set to take place this autumn. The matches will kick off at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium on October 27 and then move to Headingley Stadium in Leeds on November 2, both starting at 2:30 PM GMT.
New Faces in the Squad
Among the notable inclusions are uncapped players Junior Nsemba and Liam Marshall from Wigan Warriors. At just 20 years old, Nsemba is the youngest member of the squad, having earned his place following a remarkable season that helped Wigan secure the Betfred Super League and Challenge Cup titles. Marshall, 28, is having an outstanding season, leading the Super League in tries scored with 22. His performance has cemented his status as one of the top players in the league.
Returning Players and Past Experiences
The squad features several players with international experience, including Dom Young from the Sydney Roosters. Young hopes to make his first appearance for England in nearly two years, after missing the recent autumn Test series due to a serious sinus infection that required hospitalization. He was part of the squad that faced Samoa in the Rugby League World Cup semi-finals in November 2022, where England was defeated.
Wane remarked on the depth of talent available, noting that many players have shown consistent performance levels in both the Betfred Super League and the NRL (National Rugby League), creating fierce competition for spots. In total, six players from Australian clubs have been named, further emphasizing the strong international representation within the squad.
Squad Composition and Club Contributions
The Wigan Warriors lead the representation in the England squad, showcasing seven players. This includes notable figures like Tyler Dupree, Ethan Havard, Harry Smith, and Luke Thompson, alongside Nsemba and Marshall. The number of players from Warrington Wolves is also noteworthy, with six contributors, including John Bateman and Daryl Clark.
The complete squad is as follows:
- Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)
- John Bateman (Warrington Wolves)
- Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
- Daryl Clark (St Helens)
- Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
- Tyler Dupree (Wigan Warriors)
- Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
- James Harrison (Warrington Wolves)
- Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
- Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)
- Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons)
- Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
- Matty Lees (St Helens)
- Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
- Jez Litten (Hull KR)
- Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors)
- Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)
- Elliot Minchella (Hull KR)
- Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards)
- Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors)
- Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
- Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
- Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
- Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
- Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
- Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors)
- Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves)
- Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
- Jack Welsby (St Helens)
- George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
- Dom Young (Sydney Roosters)
Support and Anticipation for Matching Samoa
Wane has expressed excitement for the upcoming series, acknowledging a historical rivalry that has developed between England and Samoa following their last encounter in the World Cup. With the series drawing near, Wane is hopeful that fans will turn out in numbers to support the team in their quest for a home victory.
As part of the preparations, the selected players will convene for an off-field session on September 16. Additionally, Sam Tomkins will return to the setup as team manager, while assistant coaches Andy Last and Lee Briers will maintain their roles.
Ticket Information and Match Details
Tickets for both Test matches are now available for purchase, with prices starting at £25 for adults and £12.50 for those under 16. Discounts are available for group bookings of ten or more, providing an opportunity for families and friends to experience the matches together. Interested fans can find more information on the official Rugby League website.
The upcoming England vs. Samoa series promises to be an exciting showcase of rugby league talent, as both teams gear up for what is sure to be a thrilling battle on the field.
If you want to know more about ticket sales and updates, check out rugby-league.com/tickets.
