England vs Samoa: Kick-off time, venue, TV channel and team news

The Rugby League World Cup begins this afternoon.

The opener sees two of the favourites for tournament glory go toe-to-toe in a game that will determine who has the easier route to the final.

Here’s everything you need to know before the game.

Kick-off time and venue

The game kicks off at 14:30 at St James’ Park.

TV Channel

TV coverage starts on BBC One from 13:15.

Team News

Shaun Wane named his 19-man squad for the game on Thursday leaving out winger Ryan Hall settling on Dom Young and Tommy Makinson on the edges it seems. Andy Ackers also misses out meaning Wane is set for a big bench and asking Michael McIlorum to play 80 minutes.

Sam TOMKINS, Tommy MAKINSON, Kallum WATKINS, Herbie FARNWORTH, Jack WELSBY, George WILLIAMS, Tom BURGESS, Michael MCILORUM, Luke THOMPSON, Elliott WHITEHEAD, Victor RADLEY, Dom YOUNG, Morgan KNOWLES, Matty LEES, Mike COOPER, Chris HILL, Mike MCMEEKEN, Marc SNEYD, Kai PEARCE-PAUL.

As for Samoa, they have six NRL Grand Finalists in their squad headlined by final try scorers Stephen Crichton and Brian To’o as well as five-eighth Jarome Luai. Meanwhile, now former Huddersfield Giants hooker Danny Levi could feature.

Josh ALOIAI, Stephen CRICHTON, Braden HAMLIN-UELE, Chanel HARRIS-TAVITA, Oregon KAUFUSI, Spencer LENIU, Danny LEVI, Jarome LUAI, Tyrone MAY, Anthony MILFORD, Josh PAPALII, Junior PAULO, Jayden SU’A, Joseph SUAALII, Hamiso TABUAI-FIDOW, Izack TAGO, Martin TAUPA’U, Brian TO’O, Kelma TUILAGI.