Five NRL players in England squad to take on Tonga

Five NRL players have been included in England’s Test squad to do battle against Tonga in a three-match Test series beginning on Sunday.

Tom Burgess (South Sydney), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), John Bateman (WestsTigers) and Dom Young (Newcastle Knights) have all been included in Shaun Wane’s 24-strong line-up.

Wigan captain Liam Farrell has been named in the England squad for the first time since 2021, for the first Test that kicks off at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

Farrell, who missed last year’s World Cup with a knee injury, is one of four players from the newly crowned Super League champions in the squad.

Farrell is joined by teammates Tyler Dupree, Toby King and Harry Smith.

England captain George Williams has also been named in the squad despite awaiting the results of a disciplinary tribunal which could rule him out for all or part of the action.

Catalans winger Tom Johnstone and St Helens full-back Jack Welsby – both Man of Steel nominees…