England Knights to tour Papua New Guinea

England Knights will tour Papua New Guinea and play two test matches against the Kumuls, PNG Rugby Football League chief executive officer Reatau Rau has revealed.

Accompanied by coach Michael Marum, the Pacific Nations team have confirmed they will play four test matches in 2018, including the Pacific Test against Fiji Bati and a Prime Ministers XIII.

England Knights will then play games against them in Lae (October 27) and Port Moresby (November 3).

On the announcement, Rau told their official website: “The England Knights are the emerging England side and they are going to have a serious tour. They will be playing two games – one on October 27, the first match will be in Lae and the second will be in Port Moresby on November 3 at the Oil Search National Football Stadium. It has been a long time since a team has done a tour in Papua New Guinea.

“Coach Michael Marum says the last time a team made a serious tour was in 2001 when the French Roosters played in Goroka and in Port Moresby.

“The Knights are the future of the England side. They are just knocking on the door at the moment for a shot at the World Cup. We are proud of the England Rugby Football League for having the interest to come to our country.

“After the success of the World Cup last year and the Hunters and this great stadium and with the international media coverage we have had it shows the passion of rugby league in this country and we are honoured to have the team visit us.”

The England Knights performance squad includes the likes of Hull’s Jake Connor, Jack Walker of Leeds and St Helens half-back Danny Richardson.