Key events
Teams
Here are today’s lineups, courtesy of the official Rugby League World Cup Twitter:
Pre-match reading – Aaron Bower speaks to England’s Jack Welsby:
“For the first time in his rugby league career, Jack Welsby will feel at home on Saturday in the town which is so close to his heart. The 21-year-old, arguably the most mercurial talent to play for the national side for a decade, is as proud a Wiganer as you are likely to find despite the fact he has become a star for their great rivals over the Billinge Hill, St Helens.”
Preamble
England amassed 196 points in three group wins against Greece, France and Samoa. Impressive, but Shaun Wane’s side now arrive at the more demanding and nerve-wracking business of knockout rugby.
Today’s opponents Papua New Guinea won three out of four in Group D, losing only to Tonga, achieving a points difference of +46 on the way to today’s quarter-final against the host nation. (England’s points difference in Group A was +168, but even that was surpassed by Australia’s +178 in Group B.)
The assessment of the England coach Wane before today’s match at the DW Stadium? “It’s knockout rugby, so someone is going to be disappointed – but it can’t be us.” That sums it up nicely.
There will be power, there will be pace, and it being 5 November, there will no doubt be fireworks references, too.
Kick-off: 2.30pm