After ending the group stage with an unbeaten record, England will head to the DW Stadium on Saturday to face Papua New Guinea in the Rugby League World Cup Quarter Final. Here is a closer look at Saturday’s match.
Shaun Wane’s side have impressed in all three matches so far and they will be hoping the trend continues on Saturday.
During the group matches, England scored 194 points which included a 94-4 victory over Greece last weekend.
In-form winger, Dom Young scored four tries, which takes his tally to eight in just three Rugby League World Cup matches. Young is expected to start on the wing again on Saturday.
Despite Young leading the way in the try scoring, the tries have been shared around across the full squad. 17 of the 24 players within the squad have scored a try during the opening three matches.
Like previous matches, changes are expected with many players returning to the side.
Kallum Watkins was ruled out last weekend, after he failed his head injury assessment during the victory against France. Meanwhile, fellow centre Herbie Farnworth is also expected to return in the centres.
Captain Sam Tomkins is another player who did not feature in the squad last weekend but returns this week.
Hooker Michael McIlorum and second rower Elliott Whitehead also return to the 19-player squad after missing last weekend.
Papua New Guinea will head to Wigan looking to cause an upset against the hosts.
The Kumels have impressed, so far in all three of their matches. PNG finished second in Group D with two victories and a defeat.
In their opening match they faced Tonga at the Totally Wicked Stadium. Despite many people expecting a comfortable victory for Tonga, PNG did test the island side in their opening match.
Keaon Koloamatangi scored a try with three minutes remaining to snatch the 24-18 success for Tonga.
Since then, the Kumels have defeated the Cook Islands 32-16 and then in wet conditions in South Yorkshire, they beat Wales 36-0 in a match which secured their spot in the Quarter Finals.
Arguably the key threats in the PNG side will be familiar to English fans. Leigh trio Edwin Ipape, Nene MacDonald and Lachlan Lam have been at the core of the attack and could have a significant influence on the match.
The match completes a double header at the DW Stadium, following the second group match for England Women, against Canada (midday kick-off). Kick-off for the Quarter Final is at 2:30PM and will be shown live on BBC One.
England 19-Player Squad:
Sam Tomkins, Tommy Makinson, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Tom Burgess, Micky McIlorum, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mike Cooper, Chris Hill, Mike McMeeken, Marc Sneyd, Kai Pearce-Paul
