St Helens star Jack Welsby has promised that England will bring the ‘flair’ to contest Samoa’s size when the teams meet for the first time since the Rugby League World Cup semi-final.
Back in 2022, in a home World Cup, England saw their hopes of being crowned as the best Rugby League team in the world slashed when Stephen Crichton’s drop goal knocked them for six.
Since then, England have been dominant in their displays but they’ve only come across France and Tonga, who they’ve dispatched with relative ease but they’ll have their chance at ‘revenge’ this autumn.
In late October and early November, England will take on Samoa in a two-test series and full-back Jack Welsby has looked ahead to the series, clarifying that England must put themselves first before thinking about revenge.
Speaking in a video shared by England Rugby League on X, Welsby said: “It should be good. There will be a lot of talk about the revenge mission and stuff like that and we do owe them one but we’ve just got to get ourselves right first I think.”
What can Rugby League fans expect when England host Samoa?
Mandatory Credit: Photo by Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock
England were more than right last autumn as they beat Tonga 3-0 with comfortable and well-earned victories in each of the three tests, the first two of which Welsby captained the nation.
He’s now spoken about what it means to represent England Rugby League as well as what fans can expect.
“Obviously, there is still rugby to play in Super League but that’s all it’s gearing up to play for your country at the end of the season,” the St Helens full-back explained.
“Like I said, we’re going to have to right a few wrongs and it’s something I’m really looking forward to. From my experience, they’re pretty feisty. We don’t get along too well, I think that’s a nice way of putting it.”
Analysing the match-up, Welsby said: “Obviously they bring some big bodies but we’re going to bring some flair as well so it’ll be a good combative game. I’m really looking forward to it.
“Super League is brilliant but your main aim is to play international rugby at the end of the year and that’s something I’ve always wanted to do ever since being a little kid. I think it’s a bit cliche, I think everyone will tell you that but it really does mean that much to me.”
The first test will take place in a month’s time as the teams face off on Sunday, 27th October at The Brick Community Stadium, before playing again at Headingley the week after on Saturday, 2nd November.
🗣️ “We do owe them one, but we’ve got to get ourselves right first”
🏴 The #EnglandRL series against Samoa gets underway in a month at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan! pic.twitter.com/Rnhmk3gTaj
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) September 27, 2024
