MATTY Ashton looks to have won one of the more intriguing selection battles for England's first Test against Samoa in Wigan this afternoon, kick-off 2.30pm.

It appeared to be between the Warrington Wolves flyer and Wigan's Liam Marshall - both of whom were named in the Super League Dream Team after stellar 2024 campaigns - to start on one wing at the Brick Community Stadium, with star man Dom Young seemingly a shoo-in on the other wing.

As such, the 19-man squad named  features Ashton, who scored three tries in two games against Tonga last year, but not Marshall, leaving the way clear for the Wire man to win a fourth England cap in a match that will be broadcast live on BBC2.

Ashton is one of four 2024 Wire squad members to be named, with England skipper George Williams, Ben Currie and John Bateman also in contention to feature this afternoon.

However, Wolves hooker Danny Walker is one of five players in the extended 24-man squad left out, with former Wire teammate Daryl Clark seemingly set to get the nod.

> IN PICTURES: Wire's England stars in training for first Samoa Test

Wigan's rising young star Junior Nsemba could win his first England cap while NRL stars Young, Herbie Farnworth and Kai Pearce-Paul would be representing their country for the first time since the 2022 Rugby League World Cup.

England 19-man squad for first Test vs Samoa

Matty Ashton, John Bateman, Tom Burgess, Ben Currie, Daryl Clark, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Havard, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Mikey Lewis, Mike McMeeken, Harry Newman, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Harry Smith, Jack Welsby. George Williams, Dom Young

'Difficult decisions' for Wane

Walker, Marshall, former Wire skipper Chris Hill and Canberra Raiders forward Morgan Smithies are the players overlooked for the game, with Wigan prop Luke Thompson suspended.

Wane admits his players have made the job of narrowing his squad down difficult but that he is 'really happy' with how they will line up against Ben Gardiner's Samoans.

“It’s been great to be back in camp with the players this week and I can’t wait for them to get back out on the field on Sunday wearing that England jersey," he said.

“I’ve had to make some difficult decisions selecting my squad for this weekend as we have real competition for places and everyone across the 24-man squad can make a strong case to be involved.

“I’m really happy with how we’ll line-up on Sunday and I’m confident in the players I have picked to rise to what will be a tough challenge against Samoa.

“Hopefully the England fans turn out in force this weekend and get behind us in Wigan and watch two of the best sides in international rugby go head-to-head.”