England's series against Tonga concludes with the third Test at AMT Headingley on Saturday November 4 (2.30pm kick-off); that match serves as the second part of a double-header which sees England Women face Wales (12pm); England's wheelchair team face France the following day at 3.15pm
Tuesday 31 October 2023 17:04, UK
England head coach Shaun Wane has called up Morgan Smithies and Josh Thewlis to his side for their final Test against Tonga.
Smithies, who has moved to NRL side Canberra Raiders on a three-year contract just weeks after helping Wigan Warriors to Super League Grand Final glory and Super League Young Player of the Year Thewlis will be joining an England team looking to finish the three-Test series against Tonga in a whitewash.
England won the first match at St Helens 22-18 before a tough 14-4 win at Huddersfield gave them a 2-0 lead in the series with one match to play.
The final match takes place at Leeds Rhinos' AMT Headingley Rugby Stadium on Saturday and is part of a double-header as England women take on Wales.
On the call-ups, Wane said: "I'm really pleased to be able to bring both Morgan and Josh into our squad for the final game against Tonga.
"Morgan has had a terrific season with Wigan and impressed me earlier this year when he wore the England shirt for the first time, and Josh is coming in on the back of a breakthrough year with Warrington.
"Both players are very versatile and offer me some options in key positions ahead of the third Test. Our players have endured a long season and there are little knocks here and there so it's important we bolstered the squad in this final week.
"It's great to know that rugby league fans will be turning out in big numbers in Leeds this weekend to round off the series."
England head coach Wane insists his players are driven by the thought of completing a 3-0 series sweep when the two teams meet at Headingley.
Wane's side took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series when they ran out 14-4 winners in the second Test in Huddersfield but will now be looking towards a potential shutout of the tourists with victory at the weekend.
No matter the result on Saturday, England will win the series but the 59-year-old does not want his team to take their foot off the gas as they search for the clean sweep.
"We have to win on Saturday just like they have to," Wane said. "It means a lot to us to get a win this Saturday and I feel like I know my players.
"The way we talk and trained, they are obsessed with winning this game. It'll be fantastic for our game, they're No 5 in the world rankings and have a lot of great athletes who play in the NRL.
"I watch NRL, I know what they've got on their team but the way my lads have stood up to them with the
physicality when we are dwarfed in size and weight shows a lot of English spirit and that's what I'm most proud of."
The series concludes with the third Test at AMT Headingley on Saturday November 4 (2.30pm kick-off). That match serves as the second part of a double-header which sees England Women face Wales (12pm). England's wheelchair team face France the following day as well (3.15pm).
