England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named the 19-man squad for Saturday’s RLWC2021 Semi Final against Samoa at London’s Emirates Stadium (2:30pm kick-off). The Canterbury Bulldogs front-row Luke Thompson, who has not played since England’s second group game against France last month, returns to the 19 in place of his former St Helens team-mate Matty Lees, in the only change to the squad named for last Saturday’s Quarter Final against Papua New Guinea. It will be England’s 200th full international, but only their fifth against Samoa – the teams having met for the first time in a Rugby League World Cup in the opening game of this year’s tournament four weeks ago. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

England 19-man squad for RLWC Semi Final England Head Coach Shaun Wane has named the 19-man squad for Saturday’s RLWC2021 Semi Final against Samoa at London’s Emirates Stadium (2:30pm kick-off). The Canterbury Bulldogs front-row Luke Thompson, who has not played since England’s second group game against France last month, returns to the 19 in place of his former St Helens team-mate Matty Lees, in the only change to the squad named for last Saturday’s Quarter Final against Papua New Guinea. It will be England’s 200th full international, but only their fifth against Samoa – the teams having met for the first time in a Rugby League World Cup in the opening game of this year’s tournament four weeks ago. READ MORE ON THIS STORY...

In my view, replacing Lees with Thompson is the correct call.

Thompson has to be in the 17 - he's an elite forward.

Think that's a given, Sneyd and Pearce-Paul to miss out baring any last minute training injuries, I wonder if Roby is regretting not having one last go, still easily our best 9 and a World Cup win (everything crossed) would be the ultimate way to bow out on the international stage

Yes the Saints trio of Roby, Walmsley and Lomax would have made a strong England even stronger. Not sure Newman, Farrell or Josh Hodgson would have got into the team. Cant help but wonder what Wane would have gone with in the spine if Lomax was involves- as it turned out his decision was pretty much made for him.

The best thing about Wane is his ability to squeeze the last drop out of whatever squad he's given

INOUT

Exactly.

It’s mouthwatering for future years under Wane. The end won’t be far off for guys like Tomkins, Micky Mac, Hill and Cooper but the beauty for England is that there is some good quality coming through in most positions. As with this World Cup, the hooking position concerns me the most but things can change quickly as somebody hits form or a youngster develops.

It’s probably a sign of how highly I rate Faz but I do think he would’ve improved us and that’s a big statement given that Whitehead had played pretty well (very good first game and decent since). The way we’ve played on the front foot and the space our middle forwards have given the rest of the side would’ve given him a field day.

Ultimately though the biggest plus for us has been Shaun Wane. It always felt like he’d be a perfect fit for us and he’s proving just that. The squad has never seemed as together or as motivated. How good would it be if we could somehow get the job done these next two weekends?! I’d be chuffed for him.

I am glad that Thompson has come in for Lees as I really do think he is too lightweight and got pushed back to easily in previous games.

Wane has got that team playing for one another,he surely is the best coach for England at the Min.

I agree. I wonder if him missing last week was a way of finding some extra dog inside of him for the semi final?

So would I but we will have to improve, the Australian’s are currently on another level and we will have to find a way of bringing them down to our standard.

to be fair thats what wane is good at

I agree, if I was in the trenches I would want Waney next to me.

I would not want Kallum Watkins in the trenches.

Well if last night was champagne this was pomagne.