England v Samoa: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Head coach Shaun Wane insists England will have to up their game if they are to trouble rugby league world champions Australia next year despite his side running out convincing 34-18 winners over Samoa last week.

Completing a 2-0 series clean sweep over the Samoans at Headingley on Saturday will be Wane and England's immediate aim before gearing up for a first Ashes series in over two decades next autumn.

England v Samoa betting tips and predictions

England -14 @ 10/11

England head coach Wane had been stewing on his side's dramatic golden-point defeat to Samoa in the World Cup semi-finals for two years, so the exacting taskmaster will have been pleased that his side could exorcise some of those demons in Wigan last week.

However, Wane is an extremely hard man to please and he insisted that England's performance in the first Test would "not have troubled" world champions Australia. 

Beating the Kangaroos and winning the World Cup down under in 2026 is Wane's ultimate goal as head coach of the national team and he will demand more from his side in Saturday's second Test at Headingley.

England were excellent at times in Wigan, controlling the ruck when out of possession and carving out numerous openings with ball in hand, especially in the first half.

It was when their intensity dropped that things began to get ragged and allowed Samoa to get back into the game when it should have been out of their reach.

You can be certain that Wane won't let his side rest on their laurels despite their first Test success and England's last visit to Leeds could be an indication of their performance levels in Saturday's second Test.

England produced the comprehensive 80-minute performance Wane so badly craves when beating Tonga 26-4 at Headingley a year ago and, with an outing under their belts, they could be just as dominant against Samoa on Saturday.

Tonga's touring party last year boasted much more international experience than the Samoa side they will come up against once more on Saturday.

However, England will need to shackle Jarome Luai and full-back Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, winner of the Golden Boot in 2019, if they are defy the 14-point handicap line set.

They effectively stifled the pair in Wigan last week and, with Wane's warning ringing in their ears, England could prove too strong and efficient for their visitors.

Matty Ashton first tryscorer @ 13/2

Warrington Wolves winger Matty Ashton enjoyed his best Super League campaign to date in 2024.

England ace Ashton crossed for 32 tries in 29 league and cup appearances for the Wire this season and he translated his club form to the international stage with a double in last Sunday's first Test win.

Ashton, 26, has scored at least one try in all but one of his last 14 appearances for club and country and has bagged five in four Tests for England in total.

Competition for one of the two wing spots is intense - Sydney Roosters Dom Young and Wigan's Liam Marshall are also in the frame - so Ashton will be keen to nail down his spot with tougher tests awaiting England in coming years.

Ashton was on the scoresheet in the authoritative win over Tonga at Headingley last year and he could get the ball rolling for the hosts in Leeds with the first try of the match.

Victor Radley anytime tryscorer @ 10/3

If any player embodies Wane's desire for an intense approach then it is Victor Radley.

Known as 'Victor the Inflictor' in Australia for his destructive defence, Radley has added steel and a touch of class to England's pack since deciding to represent them instead of the Aussies prior to the World Cup in 2022.

Radley, who crossed for his second international try in Wigan last week, was named man of the match on his England bow against Samoa two years ago, when he produced a virtuoso performance in a 60-6 rout.

The 26-year-old provides England with not only a commanding figure at the base of the scrum, but also some organisational prowess with ball in hand and often acts as a second dummy-half when on the pitch.

Radley will likely have a big say on proceedings in Leeds and he could enjoy another starring role.

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England v Samoa odds

England - 1/6
Samoa - 4/1

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.