Shaun Wane has named a 31-man squad ahead of England’s tests against Samoa featuring a combined 13 Wigan Warriors and Warrington players.
England will take on Samoa across two games on the final weekend of October and the first weekend of November and Shaun Wane has now named his 31-man performance squad for the series.
The players will meet for an off-field session on Monday 16th September as Wane unites the squad that includes two uncapped players, both of who hail from Wigan.
One of those is 20-year-old Junior Nsemba who has recently been touted to “easily” make an NRL switch by Gus Gould, whilst Super League’s leading scorer Liam Marshall is the other.
Whilst Marshall did appear in a World Cup warmup match, he is uncapped as that game against Fiji was not an official test match. They are the only uncapped players in what is a strong and experienced squad featuring six players from the NRL.
Wigan Warriors dominate England squad to face Samoa
Credit: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com
A statement released by the RFL confirmed the squad details with a total of seven Wigan Warriors, six Warrington Wolves and four from St Helens, meaning over half of the squad hails from just three teams.
Hull KR boast three, whilst each of Huddersfield Giants, Leeds Rhinos and Leigh Leopards have one player apiece. Both Tom Johnstone and Mike McMeeken of Catalans are named with the duo set to join Wakefield for the 2025 season.
The RFL statement confirmed: “England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named a 31-strong performance squad ahead of this autumn’s two-game series against Samoa, with the selected players set to meet for an off-field session on Monday 16 September.
“Wigan Warriors breakout star Junior Nsemba is the newest name included – and the youngest player in the squad, after turning 20 in June – after some standout performances for the reigning Betfred Super League, Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge champions.
“Nsemba’s Wigan team-mate Liam Marshall is the only other uncapped player included with the Warriors flyer leading the try-scoring charts in the Betfred Super League with 22 tries: five more than his nearest challenger.*
“Six Australian-based players have been selected including five players who featured in England’s Rugby League World Cup campaign in 2022 – Sydney Roosters duo Victor Radley and Dom Young, Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth, Newcastle Knights’ Kai Pearce-Paul and South Sydney prop Tom Burgess.
“Canberra Raiders loose forward Morgan Smithies is the sixth NRL name included after making his international debut in last year’s 64-0 mid-season international victory over France at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium.
“John Bateman is also named after a move to Warrington from NRL side Wests Tigers midway through the 2024 season.”
31-Man England squad to face Samoa
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)
