FORMER York Knights loanee Mikey Lewis has been named in England’s 19-player squad to take on Samoa on Sunday.

The sides will battle it out at Wigan’s Brick Community Stadium (2:30pm) in the first of a historic two-match test series, Samoa’s first ever in the country.

Ben Gardiner’s Samoans have been based in York during their stay, working in partnership with York RLFC and City of York Council to train out of the LNER Community Stadium.

And York RLFC chairman Clint Goodchild stressed that it is now the city’s job to make sure that international teams keep coming back.

Lewis, who scored four tries and one goal in six appearances for the Knights in 2021, including in their 1895 Cup final defeat at Wembley, has been one of the Super League’s standout performers this season.

He finished the campaign as the division’s third-highest scorer with 19 tries, assisted over 20 more, and kicked 70 goals as Hull KR secured a second-placed finish and a place in the Grand Final.

The half-back was also crowned the Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, rugby league’s highest individual accolade, becoming the first Robin to do so since Gavin Miller in 1986.

Lewis twice spent time on loan with the Knights in 2021 and scored in their 1895 Cup final defeat at Wembley.Lewis twice spent time on loan with the Knights in 2021 and scored in their 1895 Cup final defeat at Wembley. (Image: Craig Hawkhead Photography) Shaun Wane’s side will bid for revenge against Samoa after Stephen Crichton’s drop-goal knocked them out of the World Cup semi-finals in November 2022.

England though have been provided with a boost, NRL trio Herbie Farnworth, Kai Pearce-Paul and Dom Young all in line to make their first appearances since that day.

They are joined in the 19-man squad by Tom Burgess and Victor Radley, who have also flown in from Australia for the test series.

Super League Young Player of the Year Junior Nsemba is the only uncapped player named, alongside treble-winning Wigan teammates Harry Smith and Ethan Havard.

Warrington Wolves half-back George Williams will captain the side.

Wane said: “It’s been great to be back in camp with the players this week and I can’t wait for them to get back out on the field on Sunday wearing that England jersey.

“I’ve had to make some difficult decisions selecting my squad for this weekend as we have real competition for places and everyone across the 24-man squad can make a strong case to be involved.

“I’m really happy with how we’ll line-up on Sunday and I’m confident in the players I have picked to rise to what will be a tough challenge against Samoa.

“Hopefully the England fans turn out in force this weekend and get behind us in Wigan and watch two of the best sides in international rugby go head-to-head.”

The match will be shown live on BBC2. Tickets are available from £25 per match for Adults and £12.50 per match for Under 16s.

ENGLAND SQUAD TO FACE SAMOA: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), John Bateman (Warrington Wolves), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs/Huddersfield Giants), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons/Wakefield Trinity), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Sydney Roosters).