England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named the 19-man squad for Saturday’s RLWC2021 Quarter Final against Papua New Guinea at Wigan’s DW Stadium (230pm kick-off). Captain Sam Tomkins, centres Kallum Watkins and Herbie Farnworth, and forwards Michael McIlorum and Elliott Whitehead return to the squad after missing last Saturday’s final group fixture against Greece. It will be England’s third World Cup match against the Kumuls, following victories in a group match in Townsville in 2008, and at the same Quarter Final stage in Melbourne in 2017. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

England 19-Man Squad for the Quarter Final Against PNG England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named the 19-man squad for Saturday’s RLWC2021 Quarter Final against Papua New Guinea at Wigan’s DW Stadium (230pm kick-off). Captain Sam Tomkins, centres Kallum Watkins and Herbie Farnworth, and forwards Michael McIlorum and Elliott Whitehead return to the squad after missing last Saturday’s final group fixture against Greece. It will be England’s third World Cup match against the Kumuls, following victories in a group match in Townsville in 2008, and at the same Quarter Final stage in Melbourne in 2017. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

More Wane weirdness. Still picking McIllorum simply because he's his mate. No Luke Thompson but wasters like Hill and Cooper in there? Got to presume he's injured. Good to see Dom Young has been preferred to Ryan Hall. Bateman another who continues to ride the Wigan train into unwarranted international selection, but he's not a glaring weakness like Mickey Mac...

I would have Oledski in before Thompson to be honest, Saints fans overhype Thompson for me, but no doubt he will bang average when he is announced by Wigan for next year.

He was the best prop in Super League before he left and he's done well enough in the NRL. What have Hill and Cooper done other than pretend to be prop forwards for about four years now?

Thompson bit of a shadow of his earlier self since he has those concussion problems. Oledski or Lees would do a good job, Hill and Cooper doing Ok and have stepped up from their superleague form, with Burgess still our world class prop.

Try actually watching the games, Hill has been immense this year, and prior to him getting injured in the CC final was dominating there too. Hill will be a starting prop as Wane has far more RL knowledge than you , as per usual doesn't play for a top side and therefore must be useless. You might also read what the players are saying, in his column Williams singled out Hill as being in top form.

"We've been brilliant as a group so it's unfair to pick out individuals but I have give a shout to Hilly. He's in form big time, he's been massive around the group and he's a leader who speaks."

Can't say I'd argue with that squad, only question for me would be McIlorum, thought his distribution was poor in the Samoa game. Obviously Wane thinks his toughness will see him through. For me KKP and McMeekin to miss out.

Well that isn't much of a surprise. My 5-year-old has more RL knowledge than Saddo.

Chris Hill has not been 'immense', not even close. Maybe slightly less useless than he was at Warrington, but he's not a top level forward. Burgess and Lees should start and Thompson and Oledzski from the bench. Far more dynamic, far more impact.

Wane and the halfback who plays behind him disagree, but i'm sure you know best mate

Lees is not good enough,certainly not as good as Hill,Burgess,Thompson,Oledzski.

Agree on Cooper and too an extent Bateman.

However I thought McIlorum justified his selection in the opening game. He was dominate and ferocious against the likes of Paulo etc.

I don’t think he can do 80 at that intensity though, maybe Knowles will jump in a 9 for a bit

Please explain what Lees has done that Hill hasn't done better...apart from wear a Saints shirt of course!

Lots of pressure and energy can play for long minutes, terrific line speed around the ruck. In otherwards a fast mobile prop who gets into your face consistently.

The only stand out selection questionable is Pearce-Paul, sooner have Farnworth starting.

Radley played 9 for a spell and Knowles came on at 13 in the first group game. That was pretty effective so I think Wane will go with that option if needed.