Five NRL players in England squad to take on Tonga
The three-match Test series between England and Tonga will start on Sunday and will feature five NRL players.
Shaun Wane’s 24-man lineup features Tom Burgess (South Sydney), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), John Bateman (Wests Tigers), and Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
For the first time since 2021, Wigan captain Liam Farrell has been selected for the England team, and he will play in the opening Test at the Totally Wicked Stadium.
Farrell, who missed last year’s World Cup with a knee injury, is one of four players from the newly crowned Super League champions in the squad.
England captain George Williams has also been named in the squad despite awaiting the results of a disciplinary tribunal which could rule him out for all or part of the action.
Catalans winger Tom Johnstone and St Helens full-back Jack Welsby – both Man of Steel nominees – are included, and there is also place for Leigh forward Robbie Mulhern after an impressive campaign with the Challenge Cup winners.
Wane said: “I’m really pleased with the 24 players coming into camp as we look to beat Tonga in this three-game series.
“All of the players included have impressed me throughout their respective Super League and NRL campaigns and are worthy of representing their country in this historic series.”
England squad to face Tonga: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), John Bateman (Wests Tigers), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Daryl Clark, Ben Currie (both Warrington Wolves), Tyler Dupree, Liam Farrell (both Wigan Warriors), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Toby King (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees (both St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).