Preview | England Men vs Combined Nations All Stars

England take on the Combined Nations All Stars side in a Mid-Season International at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday (KO 5:45 PM).

The fixture is one of three England matches over the weekend, with England women taking on France women as part of a double-header on Saturday (KO 3:15). Sunday will see the third match as England wheelchair take on the current World Champions, France.

Saturday’s match will be the first time England will have played in 2022, with their last fixture being away in France in October 2021. Doubles from Tommy Makinson and John Bateman, who both feature in the 20-man squad, secured a 30-10 away victory that day.

The fixture is an opportunity for Shaun Wane’s side to test themselves and prepare towards the World Cup at the end of the year.

Last year, England faced the All Stars in an entertaining fixture. The All Stars opened the scoring through Ken Sio, before England struck back through a double from Wigan second rower, Liam Farrell. Despite tries from Morgan Knowles and Tom Davies, the All Stars held on to a 26-24 victory.

Combined Nations head coach, Ellery Hanley named seven players who featured in that fixture from last year including in-form Salford Red Devils winger, Ken Sio, who bagged a brace last year. The 20-man squad features players from eight Betfred Super League teams and will be captained by Hull Kingston Rovers centre, Shaun Kenny-Dowell.

Kruise Leeming will feature for the Combined Nations for the second year in a row, along with fellow Leeds Rhinos teammates Matt Prior and Rhyse Martin.

Joe Lovodua could make an appearance for the All Stars in his debut season in Super League. He is one of four Hull FC player, who may play, along with Manu Ma’u; Ligi Sao and Chris Satae.

Nine Betfred Super League clubs feature in Wane’s 20-man squad which includes four players, who could make their England debuts. Warrington winger, Matty Ashton, is one of those who could make his debut. Uncapped St Helens duo Jack Welsby and Joe Batchelor were among five players selected from the defending Betfred Super League champions.

Full-back, Sam Tomkins, was named as the captain of the side by Wane. Meanwhile, Catalans teammates Mike McMeeken and Michael McIlorum were named in the squad after not being selected in recent years. McMeeken last England appearance was in the 2017 World Cup, while Catalan hooker, McIlorum, last featured against France during the 2013 World Cup.

England’s top try scorer, Ryan Hall, is one of the players, who returns to the England side. He will face fellow Hull KR teammate, Shaun Kenny-Dowell, who captains the All Stars.

Coach’s Comments:

Shaun Wane, England

“We got beat last year. I played it down a bit, but I didn’t like losing that game. I want to win this game, especially with Ellery coaching.

“This is not a friendly. This is a game I want to win and see good habits.

Watch the full interview here.

Ellery Hanley, Combined Nations All Stars

“I’m very pleased with the group we’ve named and I’m confident we’ll give England the tough pre-World Cup warm-up that Shaun is after.

“We’ve still put together a squad that is definitely capable of getting a result.”

Player’s Comments:

Mike McMeeken, England

“Saturday is a good warm-up for not just for us as players, but for fans as well with the World Cup coming up.

“It will be good to get as many numbers into Warrington as possible. They make a massive difference, and the home advantage is always key.”

Watch the full interview here.

Shaun Kenny-Dowell, Combined Nations All Stars

“It is going to be a fierce game with the calibre of players on the field. We are all excited and can’t wait to get onto the field on Saturday”

Watch the full interview here.

Squads:

England: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), Joe Batchelor (St Helens), John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Ryan Hall (Hull KR), Matty Lees (St Helens), Michael McIlorum, Mike McMeeken (both Catalans Dragons), Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford (both Warrington Wolves), Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons, Captain), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Huddersfield Giants), Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves)

Combined Nations All Stars: Daryl Clark (Warrington Wolves), Brodie Croft (Salford Red Devils), Kenny Edwards (Castleford Tigers), David Fifita (Wakefield trinity), Mahe Fonua (Castleford Tigers), Shaun Kenny-Dowall (Hull KR), Samisoni Langi (Catalans Dragons), Kruise Leeming (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Lovodua (Hull FC), Rhyse Martin (Leeds Rhinos), Peter Mata'utia (Warrington Wolves), Manu Maʻu (Hull FC), Jacob Miller (Wakefield Trinity), Matt Parcell (Hull KR), Matt Prior (Leeds Rhinos), Ligi Sao (Hull FC), Chris Satae (Hull FC), Ken Sio (Salford Red Devils), Kelepi Tanginoa (Wakefield Trinity), Zane Tetevano (Leeds Rhinos).

Both England and the Combined Nations All Stars will be wearing Tonga-inspired jerseys to help aid the relief fund, following the devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami that struck the country in January. Full details of the special Tongan-themed jerseys which will be worn by both the All Stars and England teams, raising money for the relief fund. Buy the shirts here.

England versus the Combined Nations All Stars is part of an international double-header also featuring England Women versus France (KO 3.15pm). Tickets for the men’s and women’s double-header at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium are available to buy now from only £20 Adults and £10 Under 16s at eticketing.co.uk/rugbyleague.