NRL 2024: International Toa Samoa England Test Series Wigan Leeds Venues Dates Players; Samoa will tour England for a historic Test series

England will be looking to avenge their heartbreaking World Cup exit when they host Samoa in a historic two-Test series at the end of the season.

The series, which will be the first time Samoa and England have met outside of a World Cup or tournament, will include Tests in Wigan on October 27 and Leeds on November 2.

Samoa stunned England when they last met in 2022 at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium, Stephen Crichton kicking a field goal in extra time to secure a 27-26 victory and a place in history as the first Pacific nation who played a World Cup final.

Match results: England v Samoa

“Everyone knows how devastated we were to lose the World Cup semi-final,” England manager Shaun Wane said.

“I know all the players will be as keen as I am to face Samoa again and I think our supporters will be the same.

“I know Samoa will be a top team with some of the best players in the NRL, but I also know we have an England team worthy of their support.”

England hosted Tonga last year – the first time a Pacific nation had toured Britain for a Test series – but despite winning 3-0, the bitter disappointment of their shock World Cup exit remains.

England v Mate Ma’a Tonga – Match 3

The defeat was all the more heartbreaking as England thrashed Samoa 60-6 in their World Cup opener at Newcastle’s St James Park before junior Paulo’s side turned the game around when it mattered most.

Wane was keen for Samoa to tour at the end of the season as proposed in the international calendar announced 12 months ago, which will see England tour Australia next year for an Ashes series ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

“This is the positive news we’ve been waiting for,” Wane said.

“We face a tough challenge in France this month and we will prepare for that knowing we will have another crack at Samoa at the end of the season. There are three big games that will focus us for the rest of the year.”

Players expected to be in the Samoa squad include Origin stars Stephen Crichton, Jarome Luai, Brian To’o, Spencer Leniu, Murray Taulagi and Jaydn Su’A, while Jeremiah Nanai could put his hand up for the tournament.

Junior Paulo captained the World Cup team, which also included Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Royce Hunt, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Izack Tago and Joseph Sua’ali’i, while Storm sensation Sua Faalogo played at the Pacific Championships in last year.

The England squad is expected to include NRL stars Dom Young, Victor Radley (Roosters), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Kai Pearce-Paul (Knights), Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs), Elliott Whitehead, Morgan Smithies (Raiders) and John Bateman ( Wests). Tigers).

Young scores one and sets up another

The series will be played in the heart of the league, with Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium hosting February’s World Club Challenge against Penrith in front of a capacity crowd, while Headingley Stadium hosts Leeds Rhinos.

“Beating Tonga 3-0 last year was fantastic and it’s great to be back at Headingley where we ended that run,” said Wane.

“Personally, I’m very pleased that we’re playing the first game at Wigan. We have great memories of the World Cup quarter-finals against Papua New Guinea, so hopefully we can fill the field again.”

England v Samoa

Match 1: Sunday 27 October, The Brick Community Stadium, Wigan, KO, 2.30pm

Game 2: Saturday 2nd November, AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, KO, 2.30pm