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Veteran prop Chris Hill will climb to second within the all-time record of main look makers in Rugby League World Cups when England tackle Samoa in Saturday’s semi-final on the Emirates Stadium.
A rejuvenated Hill, who turned 35 final week, broke the British file beforehand shared by John Atkinson, Roger Millward and George Nicholls when he made his fifteenth World Cup look within the 46-6 quarter-final win over Papua New Guinea in Wigan final Saturday.
That introduced him stage with Australian Bob Fulton and behind solely Cameron Smith, the previous Kangaroos captain who holds the all-time file with 17 appearances unfold throughout the 2008, 2013 and 2017 tournaments.
Hill, considered one of six survivors from the staff that misplaced 6-0 to Australia within the 2017 last, can have an opportunity to equal Smith’s file if England attain a primary World Cup last on residence soil since 1995.
The Huddersfield participant is now the third most-capped England participant of all time with 33, behind solely Ryan Corridor (40) and James Graham (44), having overtaken James Roby final week.
Hill, who loved a brand new lease of life following his close-season transfer from Warrington, has been named in coach Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad for the sport at Arsenal and is considered one of simply six England ever-presents to date, alongside Tom Burgess, Victor Radley, Jack Welsby, George Williams and Dom Younger.
Burgess is ready to turn into the fifth England participant to win 30 caps on Saturday, with Kallum Watkins and Sam Tomkins one behind on 28.
The one change to Wane’s squad is the recall of Canterbury Bulldogs front-rower Luke Thompson instead of his former St Helens team-mate Matty Lees.
Marc Sneyd and Kai Pearce-Paul are anticipated to as soon as extra drop out of the 19, with the latter set to occupy the function of 18th man, who could be used within the occasion of three failed head damage assessments.
Thompson has not performed since England’s second group recreation in opposition to France final month and, based on Wane, may have some extent to show in opposition to the Samoans.
“I hope so,” Wane mentioned. “He’s an important participant, he has been for a very long time and he wants to fireplace up and play the most effective he can. I’m certain he’ll.
“Matty did some good issues in opposition to PNG. He’s a very good participant and a very good child however I need to take a look at Luke Thompson.”
He is an important participant, he has been for a very long time and he wants to fireplace up and play the most effective he can. I am certain he’ll
Shaun Wane on Luke Thompson
The conflict with Samoa will likely be England’s two hundredth full worldwide however solely their fifth in opposition to the Pacific Islanders, who had been crushed 60-6 within the opening recreation of the event in Newcastle 4 weeks in the past.
Samoa have been unrecognisable since their opening-day debacle and Radley says England predict a close-fought recreation.
“They’re going to be stronger and we’re stronger,” he mentioned. “It’s going to take 17 laborious Englishmen to cease them and that’s what we’ve bought.”
Wane says confidence within the camp is excessive on the again of 4 spectacular performances. It’s very constructive, very respectful to Samoa,” he mentioned. “We’re all enthusiastic about taking place to London and placing a present on.”
England’s 19-man squad
S Tomkins (Catalans, captain), T Makinson (St Helens), Okay Watkins (Salford), H Farnworth (Brisbane), J Welsby (St Helens), G Williams (Warrington), T Burgess (South Sydney), M McIlorum (Catalans), L Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs), E Whitehead (Canberra), J Bateman (Wigan), V Radley (Sydney Roosters), D Younger (Newcastle), M Knowles (St Helens), M Cooper (Wigan), C Hill (Huddersfield), M McMeeken (Catalans), M Sneyd (Salford), Okay Pearce-Paul (Wigan).
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