England Rugby League Head Coach Wayne Bennett has selected a 20-man squad for the Pacific Test match against Samoa at Campbelltown Stadium in Australia on Saturday May 6 - and it includes Alex Walmsley and Mark Percival.
Mike McMeeken, Chris McQueen and big Al have been called up to an England squad for the first time, while there are recalls for Zak Hardaker and Chris Heighington, who was last selected in 2011.
Sean O’Loughlin will also return to the squad as Captain after missing the 2016 Four Nations tournament through injury.
Mark Percival, who has recently signed a four year deal with the Saints is in line to make his fourth cap.
McQueen, whose father is English, plays for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL and will be joined in the squad by former South Sydney Rabbitohs teammates Sam and Thomas Burgess.
Heighington last played for England in the 2011 Four Nations when he scored tries against Wales and Australia.
England Head Coach, Wayne Bennett, said: “This is a strong squad that I believe has the talent to do well. The game against Samoa will be tough – they have some good players and plenty of spirit but this gives everyone in our squad the opportunity to show what they can do ahead of the World Cup.
“I’m very pleased that we have this chance to play mid-season. It gives the team a chance to work and spend time together and allows my coaching team and I the opportunity to take a closer look at how the players can rise to the challenge of playing against a tough and uncompromising opponent.
“There are some quality players left behind in England who have either just missed out or been ruled out through injury and this game enables me to look at some of those who haven’t been in the squad before.”
England squad for the Pacific Test Match against Samoa (professional and community club shown):
Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)
Thomas Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor)
Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers, Middleton Marauders)
James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs, Blackbrook)
Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Zak Hardaker (Castleford Tigers, Featherstone Lions)
Chris Heighington (Cronulla Sutherland Sharks, Umina Bunnies)
Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves, New Springs Lions)
Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders, East Hull)
Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants, Deighton Juniors)
Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers, Staines Titans)
Chris McQueen (Gold Coast Titans. Wynnum Manly Seagulls)
Sean O’Loughlin (C) (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Mark Percival (St Helens, Halton Farnworth Hornets)
Scott Taylor (Hull FC, Skirlaugh)
Alex Walmsley (St Helens, Dewsbury Celtic)
Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion)
Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders, West Bowling)
Gareth Widdop (St. George Illawarra Dragons, King Cross)
George Williams (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Fans who want to watch the game can register at live.rugby-league.com and can take advantage of the £3.49 early bird offer until 24 hours before kick-off.
