Shaun Wane turns to uncapped Super League star for next England squad

[josie andrews]

Uncapped Wigan Warriors' star Junior Nsemba, 20, in line for England call-up

Powerhouse Wigan forward Junior Nsemba has bagged a place in England’s plans to face Samoa.

The rip-roaring second-row, who only turned 20 in June, is set to be included in Shaun Wane’s 31-man squad that will be named on Friday morning. He has enjoyed a brilliant breakout season, seizing his chance after team-mate Willie Isa suffered a serious injury in April.

Nsemba featured as Wigan won the Challenge Cup final at Wembley and, with his hard-hitting and running displays, has become a mainstay of Matt Peet’s starting side.

Wane is clearly a fan and it is understood the uncapped forward - man-of-the-match again in Saturday's win in Catalans - will get the nod along with club-mate Liam Marshall, Super League’s leading try-scorer.

Six NRL players, including Sydney Roosters’ Victor Radley, are also believed to be in the frame for the two-Test series starting next month.

England face Samoa at the Brick Community Stadium, Wigan on Sunday October 27 (2.30pm) before meeting once more on Saturday November 2 (2.30pm) at Leeds Rhinos’ AMT Headingley Stadium.

It will be the first time they have faced each other since Samoa broke English hearts with a golden point winner in a dramatic World Cup semi-final at Emirates Stadium in 2022.

Wane's side have only had one game so far this year, the much-maligned 40-8 victory over France in Toulouse, a low-key affair when the head coach was absent due to an ankle operation.

However, star-studded Samoa will be a much-sterner test as England prepare to step up their preparations for next year's Ashes series down under and the 2026 World Cup.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/rugby-le ... d-33610025

[Mike]

Too soon I think. One more season of development and experience and then we've got a world beater.

[pearsy]

It's about time with Marshal

[WarriorWinger]

It's about time with Marshal

Certainly is, but I can see why he has been overlooked from a current style winger point of view

[josie andrews]

England name Wigan's Liam Marshall and Junior Nsemba in provisional squad for autumn internationals vs Samoa

Liam Marshall, the top try-scorer in Super League this season, named in provisional England squad for autumn series against Samoa; Marshall's 20-year-old Wigan team-mate Junior Nsemba, also included; St Helens' Tommy Makinson absent for personal reasons

Liam Marshall, the leading try-scorer in Super League this season, and Wigan team-mate Junior Nsemba have been named in a provisional England squad for the autumn internationals against Samoa.

Marshall has touched down 22 times for Warriors this season and will now be hoping to figure for England for the first time in the fixtures at Wigan on October 27 and in Leeds on November 2.

Nsemba - the nephew of former Liverpool and Cameroon footballer Rigobert Song - is the youngest member of the squad at 20.

Seven Wigan players are in the party all told, with the uncapped Marshall and Nsemba joining Tyler Dupree, Ethan Havard, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson and Jake Wardle.

Dom Young could make his first England appearance in over two years after being named as one of six Australian-based players in the squad, alongside Sydney Roosters team-mate Victor Radley as well as Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle), Tom Burgess (South Sydney) and Morgan Smithies (Canberra).

England's NRL players missed June's victory over France due to club commitments.

Head coach Shaun Wane said: "There have been several players who have been performing consistently in both the Betfred Super League and the NRL and it has given me some real competition for places.

"With a few weeks still left in both domestic campaigns, I am expecting these players to continue to stand up at the business end of the season and earn their place in the final squad I assemble to face Samoa."

England squad: 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)

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... s-vs-samoa

[Beryl O'Neill]

Thought it would never happen Marshall about time He was considered Junior as well good luck to every player especially the others from Wigan as well.

[Barney841]

I think Nsemba has earned to be in the squad, forget his age.
Still abit of picking the usual players, Bateman or Dupree shouldn’t be in they’ve been poor. And Chris Hill?!? How old is he now 40?

[nathan_rugby]

I think Nsemba has earned to be in the squad, forget his age.
Still abit of picking the usual players, Bateman or Dupree shouldn’t be in they’ve been poor. And Chris Hill?!? How old is he now 40?

I agree.

It’s a fine balance between being a national team coach as you to balance between form players and having a bit of consistency.