GEORGE Williams has been included in England’s 19-man squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup opener against Samoa.

Warrington Wolves’ sole representative in the squad is named and is expected to start in the halves at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

Former Wire props Chris Hill and Mike Cooper are also named, with the squad to be trimmed down to a final matchday 17 on Saturday.

Newcastle Knights flyer Dom Young, who made an impressive England debut in last week’s warm-up win over Fiji, looks to have got the nod to start on the wing ahead of Ryan Hall.

He is one of six NRL-based players in the 19, joining Elliot Whitehead, Tom Burgess, Luke Thompson, Victor Radley and Herbie Farnworth.

England squad to face Samoa in Rugby League World Cup

1 Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons, Capt.)

2 Tommy Makinson (St Helens)

3 Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils)

4 Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos)

6 Jack Welsby (St Helens)

7 George Williams (Warrington Wolves)

8 Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

9 Micky McIlorum (Catalans Dragons)

10 Luke Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs)

11 Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)

13 Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)

14 Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

15 Morgan Knowles (St Helens)

16 Matty Lees (St Helens)

17 Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors)

18 Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)

20 Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)

21 Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils)

24 Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors)

And here's the 19-man squad named by Samoa: