Two England stars are ready to return to camp, as Matty Ashton and Mikey Lewis look ahead to the upcoming Test matches against Samoa, which begin on Sunday (27 October).
Both players have enjoyed extraordinary seasons in 2024 – both personally and collectively with their respective teams, Warrington Wolves and Hull KR.
Their phenomenal performances in Super League have been widely recognised, with both players topping their club’s attacking stats and earning appearances in the league’s Dream Team, as a result.
Now, they are reaping the rewards on an international level, with another opportunity to represent their country just around the corner - as fans eagerly await to see these two playmakers in action.
Ashton and Lewis first made their senior England debuts last year in the 2023 Tonga series, with Lewis scoring a try and winning Player of the Match in the first Test, while Ashton scored two tries and produced a POTM-performance in the second.
As England prepare to face Samoa, the stage is set for two captivating clashes as Shaun Wane’s side look to replicate last year’s dominant test series whitewash victory against Tonga, and Lewis is raring to go:
“Both squads have got really good depths,” the 2024 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel winner said.
“With our England squad, there’s a few lads coming over from Australia as well – where they’ve all had excellent seasons.
“It’s a strong squad which Wane has put together and we’re aiming to put 2-0 over Samoa.
“We’re ready to go into camp and we’re ready for the upcoming Test series.”
Likewise, Ashton, who could feature in his second consecutive Test series, is overjoyed with another England call-up:
“It was an unreal experience in camp last year,” the England winger explained. “My first England appearance in the Tonga series last year was an amazing experience as well.
“It’s extremely professional and there’s a great group of lads in that England team. They say it’s the best few weeks of your life which you’ll look back on, and it really felt like that last year. I’m excited to do it all again.
Ashton also knows that the England team finally have the chance to avenge the bitter disappointment of their agonisingly Rugby League World Cup Semi-Final defeat when these two sides last met in November 2022:
“We will be out for revenge – I didn’t play in that World Cup semi-final defeat, but I know how much it hurt Shaun Wane and the players.
“We’ll be looking to get our own back on them, but we know they’re going to bring a full-strength squad and I hope that they do.
"We want it to be two good occasions.”
England v Samoa's first Test will take place on Sunday 27 October at The Brick Community Stadium in Wigan (K.O. 2.30pm), followed by the second Test at AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds, on Saturday 2 November (K.O. 2.30pm).
Both will be televised by BBC Sport domestically and on SuperLeague+ overseas.
Have you got your tickets yet?
Tickets for the England v Samoa two-game Test series are available to buy now at rugby-league.com/tickets with prices starting per test match from £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s.
The new England RL shirt can also be purchased now from Oxen’s Elite Pro Sports online store.
