Canterbury Bulldogs forward Luke Thompson replaces Matty Lees, but England’s 19-man squad is otherwise unchanged from the 46-6 win over Papua New Guinea in the quarter-finals; World Cup hosts face Samoa at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 2.30pm)
Last Updated: 10/11/22 12:08pm
Luke Thompson is back in England’s 19-man squad for the semi-final against Samoa
Luke Thompson returns to England’s 19-man squad in the only change as the Rugby League World Cup hosts face a rematch against group-stage opponents Samoa in Saturday’s semi-final.
Canterbury Bulldogs forward Thompson replaces St Helens’ Matty Lees in the squad named for the clash at the Emirates Stadium, with England reaching the semis via a 46-6 win over Papua New Guinea.
They now face a Samoa team who they beat 60-6 in the opening game of the tournament, with Thompson – who played in that match as well – set to feature for the first time since scoring a try in the 42-18 win over France in Group A.
“Matty did some good things, he’s a really good player and a really good kid, but I want to have a look at Luke Thompson as well and it’s a strong team we’ll put out,” Wane said.
“I think we’re stronger than when we played Samoa and we’re doing things better. I’m happy, but I’m never satisfied with how we are playing.
“There are always ways of improving and I still think we can get better on the performance of last week against Papua New Guinea.”
Meanwhile, prop Chris Hill will climb to second in the all-time list of leading appearance makers at Rugby League World Cups if he is included in England’s matchday 17.
More to follow…
England 19-man squad vs Samoa
Sam Tomkins (captain), Tommy Makinson, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Welsby, Tom Burgess, Michael McIlorum, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Morgan Knowles, Luke Thompson, Mike Cooper, Chris Hill, Mike McMeeken, Marc Sneyd, Kai Pearce-Paul.
