ABK International Series double header
Venue: AMT Headingley, Leeds Date: Saturday, 2 November
Women: England v Wales Kick-off: 12:00 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer, live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Men: England v Samoa Kick-off: 14:30 GMT Coverage: Live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, live radio and text commentary on BBC Sport website and app
Wigan Warriors winger Liam Marshall is in contention for a full England debut after being called into the matchday squad for Saturday’s second Test against Samoa at Headingley.
Marshall, 28, helped Wigan complete an unprecedented quadruple and was Super League’s leading try-scorer last term. He comes in for Sydney Roosters star Dom Young, who injured his hand in the 34-18 victory over the Pacific islanders last Sunday.
His Wigan team-mate Luke Thompson returns from suspension to replace Huddersfield Giants prop Tom Burgess, while Junior Nsemba, the other uncapped player called up for the series, is also included in the 19-man group.
“I’ve had to make a few changes to my 19 from last weekend’s victory and that is why having a strong squad is so important,” said head coach Shaun Wane.
“I’m confident with the lads I have had to bring in. Our goal was always to win this series 2-0 and we have put ourselves in the position to achieve that on Saturday.
“We know Samoa will be better but so will we.”
Marshall, who scored 27 Super League tries last season, previously appeared for England against Fiji in a warm-up match for the 2022 Rugby League World Cup but the fixture was not given full international status.
Following the first Test, Wane warned his players that their performance would not have troubled world champions Australia.
And while he has modified his view slightly after reviewing the match, he insists that his team will need to step up a gear for Saturday’s contest, which is part of a international double header – with England’s women facing Wales earlier in the day (12:00 GMT).
“In the heat of the moment, it’s very hard to see a lot of detail, but now I’ve watched it back, I’m happy,” Wane told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“We played better than I thought. But I do think honestly that we need to improve again.
“They’ve got smart coaches and they’re going to put us under a lot of pressure. They’re going to see places where we’re going to be weak and we just need to improve.”
England matchday squad to face Samoa: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), John Bateman John Bateman (Warrington Wolves), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), 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), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves).
Wane enjoys physicality of an England that ‘won’t back down’
One aspect of last Sunday’s match that Wane enjoyed was the physicality displayed by both teams.
Samoa’s performance of their traditional war dance – the Siva Tau – and the way England stared their opponents down prior to kick-off set the tone for a pulsating affair.
The intensity shown by both sides eventually led to tempers flaring, with a late scuffle that involved nearly all 26 players on the field.
However, Wane dismissed suggestions that he will need to warn his players about their on-field discipline.
“We were trying to show them respect for the Siva Tau, and I think we did that,” he said.
“There was no message going on from me. I loved it. I thought we showed respect. It’s a Test match. You know what I mean? Rugby league’s a tough game. And that’s the way it was.
“I thought there was nobody in this country who wouldn’t have enjoyed that. And I’m sure it’ll be the same again on Saturday.”
Leeds centre Harry Newman echoed Wane’s comments, saying: “I’m sure come this weekend it’ll be all guns blazing.
“Stepping up to that Test match level, the game’s just a bit more physical. You’re obviously playing with a lot of pride, representing your country, representing your family, and all the other English lads who play rugby over here.
“We won’t back down. It’s not in our nature. We’re English. We never back down. Obviously, there are some big boys in their team. But we’ve got some as well. It’s an exciting prospect and I’m sure it’ll get feisty.”