Samoa name league stars for England series

Samoa have named a squad with plenty of National Rugby League experience for their tour of England.

The squad is headed by captain Jarome Luai who was a key figure in Penrith's fourth premiership win and New South Wales' State of Origin win this year.

Samoa will play England in two Tests at Wigan on 27 October and Leeds on 2 November.

The series has been dubbed a "revenge" tour after Samoa upset the hosts in the semi-final of the World Cup in 2022.

The squad also includes Roger Tuivasa-Sheck of the Warriors, Jeremiah Nanai of the North Queensland Cowboys, Deine Mariner of the Brisbane Broncos and Blaize Talagi of the Penrith Panthers.

The 23 player squad includes 11 debutants with coach Ben Gardiner having up to 13 players unavailable.

Gardiner told NRL.com Tuivasa-Sheck's decision to play for Samoa ahead of New Zealand, whom he represented in 20 Tests from 2013 to 2019 before his switch to rugby union, helped convince Nanai to represent the Pacific nation.

"When you bring Roger Tuivasa-Sheck into your side, you bring one of the best players from both codes into your team, so for him to want to represent Samoa this year and moving forward, there are some other players who aren't available for this tour and other players who were able to jump ship," Gardiner said.

"Jeremiah was one of those. I said to Jeremiah that Roger is playing and he said, 'well, I'm definitely playing too'.

After returning to the Warriors this season, Tuiavasa-Sheck wanted to fulfil a long-held desire to represent Samoa and told Gardiner he was available for the end-of-season tour to England.

"He has been nothing but positive and we have had a number of conversations with him about team selections and who is going to be in the team and who is going to go on the tour," Gardiner said.

While Samoa are in England the Kiwis will be involved in the Pacific Championship.

Samoa squad to tour England:

Anthony Milford (Dolphins)

Blaize Talagi (Penrith Panthers)

Deine Mariner (Brisbane Broncos)

Francis Molo (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Manly Sea Eagles)

Izack Tago (Penrith Panthers)

Jake Tago (Parramatta Eels)

Jarome Luai (Wests Tigers)

Jazz Tevaga (Manly Sea Eagles)

Jeral Skelton (Wests Tigers)

Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)

John Asiata (Leigh Leopards)

Josiah Pahulu (Gold Coast Titans)

Junior Pauga (Sydney Roosters)

Keenan Palasia (Leeds Rhinos)

Lazarus Vaalepu (Melbourne Storm)

Luciano Leilua (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Paul Roache (Warriors)

Ricky Leutele (Leigh Leopards)

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)

Shawn Blore (Melbourne Storm)

Simi Sasagi (Canberra Raiders)

Terrell May (Sydney Roosters)