International Rugby League returns to AMT Headingley this Autumn as England complete their two-test series against Samoa on Saturday 2nd November, kick off 2.30pm.

England won a fiery opening Test against Samoa at Wigan on Sunday and now the series is on the line when the two teams meet again this Saturday. 

Here's our match preview on the fixture:

Factfile

After producing two of the most exciting games at the Rugby League World Cup two years ago, Samoa arrived back on UK shores this month to take on Shaun Wane's England in a two-match test series that promises to produce similar drama.

Head coach Ben Gardiner, who took over from Matt Parish in 2023, gets the chance to lead the side in his second year after last year's Pacific Championships after being part of Ivan Cleary's Penrith staff that delivered yet another Grand Final title this month. Despite losing both matches last year to Australia and New Zealand, the former Kiwi coach hopes for better success against an England side, who bounced back from their semi final defeat by beating Tonga during last year's Autumn Internationals.

Opting to test themselves against England instead of partaking in the Pacific Internationals down under this year, Gardiner and Samoa have called upon some of the best talents in the NRL, as well as a handful of Super League representatives.

John Asiata and Ricky Leutele both helped Leigh Leopards to finish in the semi finals and could make their first appearances for Toa Samoa since 2017. Asiata came off the bench in the June test against Wayne Bennett's England side, before Leutele featured in that year's World Cup side that reached the quarter finals. Together, they have a nine combined appearances for the nation.

Fans will be wanting to see some of the NRL best players though, led by Penrith Panthers trio Izack Tago, Blaize Talagi and Jarome Luai who all played a part in the club winning their fourth consecutive NRL Grand Final. Luai, who looks to cap off another dominant year in style before he switches for the orange and black of Wests Tigers from 2025, captains a side that includes only four players that featured in the 2022 World Cup (Luai, Luciano Leilua, Anthony Milford and Tago) and 11 debutants, including team mate Talagi and one of the NRL's top try scorers, Deine Mariner.

Cowboys star back rower Jeremiah Nanai switches his allegiances to feature for Samoa to join a forward pack made up of Storm Grand Finalist Lazarus Vaalepu and new Rhinos signing Keenan Palasia, plus Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also pulls on the Samoa colours for the first time since arriving back in the NRL this year.

Squad

Previous Clashes

2006 - England 38 Samoa 14

2014 - England 32 Samoa 26

2017 - England 30 Samoa 10

2022 - England 60 Samoa 6

2022 - England 26 Samoa 27

2024 - England 34 Samoa 18

Recent Results

England

England returned to action last Sunday at Wigan with their hard earned win over Samoa at Wigan and maintained a winning run under Shaun Wane. 

France have continued to been an annual opponent, but have conceded big scorelines in a 64-0 win at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium last year, and a 40-8 defeat in Toulouse earlier this year. Both matches have come as preparation for Test series against Pacific Island sides, as 2023 saw England take down Tonga 3-0 in an enthralling series last year. Now, they look forward to sealing the series against Samoa at AMT Headingley ahead of the Ashes tour next year.

Last five internationals:

2024 - England 34 Samoa 18 (International Series, Game 1)

2024 - France 8 England 40 (Mid-Season International)

2023 - England 26 Tonga 4 (International Series, Game 3)

2023 - England 14 Tonga 4 (International Series, Game 2)

2023 - England 22 Tonga 18 (International Series, Game 1)

Samoa

Samoa's only minutes after the 2022 World Cup Final defeat to Australia came in the Pacific Championships last year, when they lost out to New Zealand and Australia in the first two weeks of the competition. With more players swapping allegiances to represent their home countries, it has opened up a new era for the likes of Samoa, Tonga and Papua New Guinea, who have seen added success from an influx of NRL talents, and the Samoans will hope to continue their recent rise at the World Cup with success over England.

Last five internationals:

2024 - England 34 Samoa 18 (International Series, Game 1)

2023 - New Zealand 50 Samoa 0 (Pacific Championships, Week 2)

2023 - Australia 38 Samoa 12 (Pacific Championships, Week 1)

2022 - Australia 30 Samoa 10 (World Cup Final)

2022 - England 26 Samoa 27 (World Cup Semi Finals)

Ticket Information

Tickets for the ABK Beer International are still available to buy now online - go  to https://mpv.tickets.com/schedu...

Hospitality for the England Men's and Women's double header at AMT Headingley is available too with our partner Seat Unique. Go to https://leedsrhinoshospitality... to book now.