Morgan Smithies has been named in a 31-strong England squad ahead of a 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.
The Wolves provide more players than any other club with seven whilst the Warriors have six and Hull KR and St Helens each have three players included. Huddersfield Giants, Leigh Leopards and Leeds Rhinos each have one player selected with Chris Hill, Robbie Mulhern and Harry Newman amongst the 31.
On the squad, Wane said: “I’m pleased to have been able to put together a strong and talented squad as we look ahead to the end-of-season Test Matches against Samoa.
“There have been several players who have been performing consistently in both the Betfred Super League and the NRL and it has given me some real competition for places.
“With a few weeks still left in both domestic campaigns, I am expecting these players to continue to stand up at the business end of the season and earn their place in the final squad I assemble to face Samoa.
“There is definitely a bit of history and rivalry between ourselves and the Samoans following the Rugby League World Cup in 2022, and we will be hoping people come out to support us as we look for a series victory on home soil.”
England will renew their rivalry with Samoa on Sunday 27 October (230pm) at the Brick Community Stadium, Wigan, before meeting once more on Saturday 2 November (230pm) at Leeds Rhinos’ AMT Headingley Stadium.
England confirmed earlier this week that Sam Tomkins will return to the set-up as team manager, with Andy Last and Lee Briers continuing as Wane’s assistant coaches.
Tommy Makinson was included in Wane’s squad but has withdrawn due to personal reasons.
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The squad in full:
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)
* Liam Marshall came on as an interchange in England’s 2022 Rugby League World Cup warm-up victory over Fiji at Salford however the fixture was not an official Test Match meaning Marshall remains uncapped.
