Samoa coach Ben Gardiner has told prospective players he is seeking a three-year commitment from them through to the next Rugby League World Cup, with their England tour a key part of building a wider squad.
As revealed on Thursday, Samoa will embark on a historic two-Test tour of England in October and November, in the side's first ever bilateral series against a tier-one nation.
Gardiner is hopeful he will take a more experienced squad to the northern hemisphere, after his side was decimated by injuries for last year's Pacific Championships.
But he is also clear he wants players who will make themselves available for selection in the 2026 World Cup, which is expected to be held in Australia.
With the likes of Jarome Luai, Junior Paulo and Stephen Crichton, Samoa reached the last World Cup final.
Gardiner has close to 200 players eligible for selection across the NRL, Super League and state cup competitions, with many of those also able to represent other nations.
The Penrith assistant wants to build a wide squad of players who regularly represent Samoa, giving them a clear lead in to the 2026 tournament with experience in the jersey.
"That way we're not going and picking 25 guys who haven't played for Samoa before," Gardiner told AAP.
"In my discussion with players who are new, or have other heritage and haven't played for Samoa before, I am talking to them and saying this isn't a commitment for a year.
"This is a commitment through to the World Cup. And if you do want to play for Samoa, I need your commitment that it is going to be for the World Cup."
Samoa have begun naming teams of the month of eligible players, with State of Origin players Payne Haas, Jaydn Su'A, Brian To'o, Luai, Crichton and Jeremiah Nanai all featuring in the most recent one.
Their plight is helped by a move towards match-fee equity for all nations in ARL Commission tournaments, such as the Pacific Championships.
Gardiner believes that will help drive more eligible players to prioritise representing their heritage, in camps that offer a balance of culture, religion and skill development.
"If we can equalise camp quality, what ends up happening is those guys say I will play for my heritage and represent people who have gone before me," Gardiner said.
"People who have represented Australia and New Zealand say it was a great camp and know they will be very well looked after in there.
"We'd like to think we can match that now.
"I have got guys coming to me suggesting playing for Samoa is something they want to do if they are in form at the end of the year.
"That makes it more challenging for our players, they have to work harder for their positions. That's what you want, you want to be picking guys who are in form."
