Host nation England face a tough task to beat Samoa at St James' Park in their opening game of the Rugby League World Cup.
The Samoan side are touted by many as the tournament's surprise package and are likely to push England to the limit in Newcastle on Saturday October 15.
In Samoa's 24-man squad, coach Matt Parish has included eight players who are due to play in this Sunday's NRL Grand Final - the showpiece event for Rugby League powerhouse Australia's premier domestic competition.
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Tickets remain on sale for the England v Samoa match at St James' Park. The organisers are hoping for a sell-out crowd, who England will want behind them for their tough opening fixture.
The Samoan squad includes Jarome Luai, one of the most exciting playmakers in the game, who has starred for Penrith Panthers on their way to making the Australian NRL Grand final. He is joined by fellow Penrith teammates and NRL finalists Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Taylan May, Izack Tago and Brian To'o in the squad, along with Junior Paulo and Oregon Kaufusi from their Grand Final opponents Parramatta Eels.
Super League names also feature Huddersfield hooker Danny Levi and Catalans Dragons utility back Tyrone May making the cut.
The Rugby League World Cup says: "When it comes to the Rugby League World Cup specifically, Samoa have established themselves as a consistent knockout stage team, having reached back-to-back quarter-finals in 2013 and 2017. The team has come leaps and bounds in recent years and can now boast an impressive squad brimming with top NRL and Super League talent."
Samoa face England at St James’ Park before taking on Greece and France in their other group fixtures. If England lose their opening game, they would be likely to face the might of Tonga in the quarter-finals.
England and Samoa are evenly matched, according to the bookies. SkyBet had both England and Samoa at 10/11 to win their opening fixture, following the announcement of the Samoa squad.
Fans have proved they can be Newcastle United's 12th man at St James' Park on many occasions. In October, England's rugby league side may need the Geordie crowd to be their fourteenth.
England announces their Men's squad for the Rugby League World Cup on Friday. Tickets for the Rugby League World Cup, including four matches in Newcastle, are on sale here.
Samoa’s 24-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup
England open their Rugby League World Cup against Samoa on Saturday October 15, 2022. Kick off is at 2.30pm.
J Aloiai (Manly), F Brown (Wests Tigers), S Crichton (Penrith), M Feagai (St George Illawarra), B Hamlin-Uele (Cronulla), C Harris-Tavita (NZ Warriors), R Hunt (Cronulla), O Kaufusi (Parramatta), L Leilua (North Queensland), S Leniu (Penrith), D Levi (Huddersfield), J Luai (Penrith), Taylan May (Penrith), Tyrone May (Catalans), A Milford (Newcastle Knights), J Papalii (Canberra), J Paulo (Parramatta), J Su’a (St George Illawarra), J Suaalii (Sydney Roosters), H Tabuai-Fidow (North Queensland), I Tago (Penrith), M Taupa’u (Manly), B To’o (Penrith), K Tuilagi (Wests Tigers).
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