England squad named for Samoa Series

[josie andrews]

England Men Head Coach Shaun Wane has named a 24-strong for the upcoming two-game ABK International Test Series against Samoa.

The squad includes two uncapped players, who were both Grand Final winners with Wigan on Saturday – Junior Nsemba, the 20-year old forward who was last week named Betfred Super League Young Player of the Year, and the competition’s top try-scorer for 2024, Liam Marshall.

Another Wigan youngster, prop Ethan Havard, is also included after making his international debut back in 2023 in the mid-season victory over France. Luke Thompson and Harry Smith are the other quadruple winners in Wane’s squad - although Thompson will miss the first Test Match through suspension.

Sydney Roosters duo Dom Young and Victor Radley are amongst the six Australian-based players in Wane’s squad alongside Morgan Smithies of Canberra Raiders, Newcastle Knights’ Kai-Pearce Paul, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth and South Sydney Rabbitohs and England veteran Tom Burgess.

Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Mikey Lewis represents Betfred Super League Grand Finalists Hull KR for the second consecutive Test Series.

The squad includes five Warrington Wolves with Matty Ashton, John Bateman, Ben Currie and Danny Walker named in addition to England Captain George Williams. Jack Welsby is one of four St Helens players involved after recovering from injury ahead of the Super League Play-Offs.

There are also sole representatives from three Betfred Super League clubs – Leeds centre Harry Newman, and experienced props Mike McMeeken and Chris Hill, who played this season for Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants respectively, but are both on the move for 2025 – with McMeeken already confirmed as a signing for Wakefield Trinity.

Head Coach Shaun Wane said: “I’m really excited by the squad I’ve been able to pick ahead of our two-game Test Series against Samoa.

“We know it’s going to be a tough test against the Samoans and there is already a lot of history between us from the Rugby League World Cup two years ago.

“All of the players have picked based on their form over the last 12 months whether that be in the Betfred Super League or Down Under in the NRL and I’m confident heading into next week’s opener in Wigan.

“Following on from an impressive crowd at Old Trafford this past weekend, I am hoping the Rugby League fans come out in numbers at both Wigan and Leeds and get behind England.”
Tickets for the ABK Beer Test Series are available online now.


England Men Squad v Samoa:

Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)
John Bateman (Warrington Wolves)
Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Daryl Clark (St Helens)
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors)
Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors)
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)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Sydney Roosters)

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63 ... moa-series

[josie andrews]

Five Warriors named in England squad

FIVE WARRIORS HAVE BEEN NAMED IN ENGLAND’S 24-PLAYER SQUAD FOR THE UPCOMING TWO-MATCH ABK BEER TEST SERIES AGAINST SAMOA.

England head coach Shaun Wane has announced a 24-strong squad for the series, which includes uncapped Warriors Junior Nsemba and Liam Marshall.

Ethan Havard has also been included after making his international debut back in 2023, as well as Luke Thompson and Harry Smith – although Thompson will miss the first Test Match in Wigan through suspension.

Former Warriors Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul are amongst six Australian-based to be selected, alongside Tom Burgess, Herbie Farnworth, Victor Radley and Dom Young.

Speaking ahead of the series, Wane said: “I’m really excited by the squad I’ve been able to pick ahead of our two-game Test Series against Samoa. We know it’s going to be tough against the Samoans, and there’s already a lot of history between us from the recent Rugby League World Cup.

“All of the players have picked based on their form over the last 12 months whether that’s in the Betfred Super League or in the NRL, and I’m confident heading into next week’s opener in Wigan. Following on from an impressive crowd at Old Trafford this past weekend, I’m hoping rugby league fans will come out in numbers at both Wigan and Leeds to get behind England.”

Full 24-player squad:

Matty Ashton, John Bateman (both Warrington Wolves), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees (both St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), 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), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Sydney Rabbitohs).

England will take on Samoa at The Brick Community Stadium on Sunday 27 October (2:30pm K.O.) and AMT Headingley on Saturday 2 November (2:30pm K.O.). England Wheelchair face France at Robin Park Arena on Saturday 26 October, with England Women playing Wales as the first part of a double-header at AMT Headingley.

Tickets for the ABK Beer Internationals are available to purchase HERE.

https://wiganwarriors.com/blog/2024/10/ ... and-squad/

[shawxshark]

Is Jake injured? Or just decided he’s not available for series? Not complaining like, would rather him have a rest, but him and farnworth must have been nailed on starters, and with wardle playing I think Marshall would of definitely got on wing outside him, I now fear he may miss out now for Ashton/young

[jobo]

Is Jake Wardle injured, or have I missed reading his name?

[Mouse13]

Wardle is unavailable due to injury.

[the pieman]

i've just posted on facebook

only 9 backs in that squad, and looking very thin on numbers, so likely that someone from 2nd row will be covering wing / centres

it looks like
Welsby
Marshall / Ashton
Newman
Farnworth
Young
Williams
Smith / Lewis

[benjamaphone]

How is Chris Hill still in the England squad?

[josie andrews]

How is Chris Hill still in the England squad?

I thought the same

[josie andrews]

The seven players cut from Shaun Wane’s England squad and why

Shaun Wane has named his 24-man England squad to take on Samoa in a two-Test series over the coming weeks. England face off against the Samoans, who beat England in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup semi-finals, for the first time in Wigan on October 27.

The two nations will do battle once more on November 2 at Headingley in a decider. Wane was picking from a performance group of 31, which he named at the start of September and as such, he had made the difficult choice to cut seven of those players from his squad.

Here’s a look at the seven who have missed out and why.

Jez Litten (Hull KR)

Litten has made 30 appearances for the Robins this season and over the first half of the season, it’s fair to say he was instrumental for Willie Peters’ side. However, the 26-year-old’s influence ever so slightly waned over the last few months of the campaign as Matt Parcell re-established himself as the leading hooker in the Rovers ranks.

Litten came off the bench in 10 of KR’s last 11 regular season games and he played a similar role on Saturday in the Grand Final, playing just 17 minutes. The Hull KR man is expected to reclaim that lead role next season, though, and he’ll be determined to get back into the England fold.

Tyler Dupree (Wigan Warriors)

The prop had a busy year with Wigan, making 29 appearances and featuring in two finals, including last Saturday’s Grand Final win over Hull KR. He also collected his third England cap in June as the national side saw off France.

However, the competition in England’s front row is fierce and it seems Dupree couldn’t quite convince Wane that he deserved to make the final cut.

Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards)

Like Dupree, Mulhern is in a position that is heavily stocked with Wane being able to call on a host of in-form front-rowers. Mulhern is undoubtedly one of those, having impressed in Leigh colours this season, but they can’t all be picked and he’s one of the unfortunate ones to miss out.

Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons)

Johnstone was never expected to be included in the final squad having fractured his fibula in July. At the time there was hope that the winger could make a return to action with Catalans before the end of the season, but he couldn’t regain fitness in time.

Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)

Wardle misses out with what is thought to be a knee injury. The Wigan man has been the best centre in Super League this season and would have been in ordinarily.

Elliot Minchella (Hull KR)

Assuming he’s not injured, Minchella has every right to feel hard done by to be overlooked after leading KR to the Grand Final and securing a spot in the Dream Team. He’s certainly had a better season than Morgan Knowles, but Wane has seen more of the St Helens man on the international stage and he’s given him the nod.

Again, competition is fierce for that loose-forward spot with Victor Radley and Morgan Smithies also able to play the role.

James Harrison (Warrington Wolves)

Harrison has probably had his best season yet in the primrose and blue of Warrington, but he couldn’t do enough to get the nod. He does have one England cap already, having played against France in 2023, but the snub might just give him the motivation he needs to have an even better year next time around.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/the-seve ... why-98231/

[josie andrews]

So Dupree, Mulhern & Harrison miss out but a 37 year old Hill gets to play??

This decision of Wane’s wouldn’t make me want to get better to be selected maybe next time but think why should I bother?