Wigan Warriors man could yet feature in Rugby League World Cup semi-final

The teams are in for the Rugby League World Cup semi-final today at the Emirates Stadium in London this afternoon.

England take on Samoa hoping to return to the World Cup Final having lost the 2017 decider and missed out on the 2013 home World Cup Final due to semi-final defeat in London no less.

It’s Samoa’s first ever semi-final and they’re hoping to go one better next week and joining Australia at Old Trafford.

Naming his team for the clash Shaun Wane has only made one change to his 17 with Canterbury Bulldogs star Luke Thompson replacing his former St Helens teammate Matty Lees on the bench as the starting 13 is the same.

Samoa are without Danny Levi and Martin Taupau and Salford Red Devils winger Ken Sio is named on the wing as his teammate Tim Lafai features at centre.

However, the team news doesn’t end with the 17 players with both sides naming an 18th man which is part of an NRL rule which enables teams to use a fifth substitute should they lose three players to failed Head Injury Assessments.

It has been incorporated in the World Cup but has yet to be used just yet.

Should it happen to England today, they will call upon Kai Pearce-Paul of the Wigan Warriors whose versatility as being able to play centre or second-row likely saw him edge halfback Marc Sneyd.