England line-ups vs Samoa with big back-row calls made amid Mikey Lewis role

Shaun Wane has named his 19-man England squad for this weekend’s Test match against Samoa at the Brick Community Stadium. Wane has been running the rule over his squad over the last few days and he has made the decision to omit Chris Hill, Danny Walker, Liam Marshall and Morgan Smithies while Luke Thompson also misses out through suspension.

Ahead of this weekend’s clash, Serious About Rugby League’s Will Jackson and Sam Cook have named the teams they would pick for Sunday’s first Test versus Samoa.

Will Jackson

Based on the 19-man squad Shaun Wane has named, I think the England backline is fairly self explanatory. Jack Welsby is the only full-back in the squad so his place is assured, while Matty Ashton, Herbie Farnworth, Harry Newman and Dom Young are all set for run outs. It’s worth saying, I probably would have picked Liam Marshall over Ashton, though.

The half-back pairing of George Williams and Harry Smith doesn’t require too much thinking, either, with the skipper set to play alongside someone who has the ability to kick Samoa to death, if given the opportunity.

That’s no slight on Mikey Lewis, of course, and I would make a case to carry the Hull KR man and reigning Man of Steel on the bench to potentially provide something different in the second half. His maverick nature and ability on the ball has the ability to pose questions of a tiring Samoa line and could well prove to be a difference.

A front row of Tom Burgess, Daryl Clark and Matty Lees is fairly easy to predict, but the back-row is anyone’s guess with Wane having an embarrassment of riches. Personally I’d give Kai Pearce-Paul and Junior Nsemba the nod, with John Bateman coming off the bench. I’d also favour Victor Radley at loose-forward, meaning Ben Currie and Morgan Knowles are the unfortunate two to miss out.

Will’s England line-up: Jack Welsby; Matty Ashton, Herbie Farnworth, Harry Newman, Dom Young; George Williams, Harry Smith; Tom Burgess, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul; Victor Radley.

Bench: Ethan Havard, John Bateman, Mike McMeeken, Mikey Lewis.

Sam Cook

The backs almost pick themselves with Shaun Wane leaving behind lots of selection issues by omitting some players in contentious positions, however, the toughest call does come in the halves.

Harry Smith over Mikey Lewis is how it played out in the Grand Final and despite the magic that Lewis can bring, the kicking control and calm that Smith brings is unparalleled.

Liam Marshall is unfortunate to miss out after Shaun Wane omitted him from the 19-man matchday squad but Dom Young’s size on one wing with Matty Ashton on the other is exciting. Ashton has been incredible in 2024, particularly late in the season as he racked up 27 tries. As for Marshall, the wait for an England debut continues.

Moving into the forwards and selection is a lot tougher given the incredible depth. New Huddersfield Giants man Tom Burgess gets the nod alongside Matty Lees at prop. Lees is one of England’s smaller props but his work rate cannot be ignored and he’ll allow for the likes of Mike McMeeken and Ethan Havard to make a stronger impact from the bench.

Junior Nsemba and Kai Pearce-Paul are so similar that it’s hard to justify starting both so the Young Super League Player of the Year gets the start with KPP off the bench. Ben Currie will pair him after a brilliant season and Victor the Inflictor locks the pack whilst offering the ability to play hooker when Daryl Clark spells off.

A bench of four big forwards completes the 17.

Sam’s England line-up: Jack Welsby; Dom Young, Harry Newman, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Harry Smith; Tom Burgess, Daryl Clark, Matty Lees; Junior Nsemba, Ben Currie, Victor Radley

Bench: John Bateman, Ethan Havard, Mike McMeeken, Kai Pearce-Paul