Wigan Warriors’ unbeaten pair of Junior Nsemba and Liam Marshall have been named in Sean Wayne’s 24-man England squad for their two-Test series against Samoa.
Both players featured in Wigan’s Super League Grand Final against Hull CR on Saturday, while 20-year-old striker Nsemba was named Super League Young Player of the Year.
Wing Marshall, 28, finished the season as the top scorer in the 2024 Super League, scoring 27 from 26 matches.
Wigan defender Ethan Havard is also included after making his 2023 international debut in the mid-season win over France. Luke Thompson and Harry Smith are the other four-time winners in manager Wayne’s side, although Thompson will miss the first test match through suspension.
Sydney Roosters duo Dom Young and Victor Radley are among six Australian players in Wayne’s squad, alongside Morgan Smithies of the Canberra Raiders, Kai-Pearce Paul of the Newcastle Knights, Dolphins center Herbie Farnworth and South Sydney Rabbitohs and England veteran Tom Burges. to join Huddersfield Giants in 2025.
Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Mikey Lewis represents Super League Grand Finalists Hull KR for the second successive Test series, having made his debut against Tonga last year.
The squad includes 5 Warrington Wolves Matty Ashton, John Bateman, Ben Currie and Danny Walker in addition to England captain George Williams. Jack Welsby is one of four St Helens players involved after recovering from injury ahead of the Super League play-offs.
There are also individual representatives of three Super League clubs. Leeds center Harry Newman and experienced wingers Mike McMeeken and Chris Hill, who have played for Catalans Dragons and Huddersfield Giants respectively this season, but are both set to move in 2025. as a signing for Wakefield Trinity.
“I’m really excited about the squad I was able to pick ahead of our two-match Test series against Samoa,” said head coach Wayne.
“We know it will be a tough test against the Samoans and there is already a lot of history between us from the Rugby League World Cup two years ago.
“All the players have been selected based on their form over the last 12 months, whether it’s in Super League or Down Under NRL, and I’m confident I’ll be involved in next week’s opener at Wigan.
“Following the impressive crowds at Old Trafford last weekend, I hope rugby league fans will turn out in numbers at both Wigan and Leeds to watch England.
England men’s squad for two test series against Samoa.
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), John Bateman (Warrington Wolves), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daryl Clarke (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Chris . Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull CR), Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos) , Junior Nsemba. (Wigan Warriors), 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), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Sydney Rabbitohs).
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