So here we are. Another World Cup semi-final for England. Another chance to take on Samoa. But, unlike in the opening fixture at St James' Park four weeks ago, Matt Parish's side look ready for this one.
Will it be a second final in two attempts for England, or can Samoa make the World Cup final for the first time ever? If it's anything like England's 2017 semi-final, it will be an all-time classic.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s action…
England v Samoa - Men's Semi-Final
Where: Emirates Stadium, London.
When: 2:30pm (GMT)
TV: BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Referee: Gerard Sutton (Australia)
ENGLAND
RLWC2021 so far:
Group A: Winners (beat Samoa 60-6, France 42-18 and Greece 42-4)
Quarter-finals: Beat Papua New Guinea 46-6
RLWC History:
Finalists 3 times (1975, 1995, 2017)
Overall record: 24 wins, two draws, 12 defeats (63.2% win rate)
1 Sam Tomkins (captain), 2 Tommy Makinson, 3 Kallum Watkins, 4 Herbie Farnworth, 6 Jack Welsby, 7 George Williams, 8 Tom Burgess, 9 Michael McIlorum, 10 Luke Thompson, 11 Elliott Whitehead, 12 John Bateman, 13 Victor Radley, 14 Dom Young, 15 Morgan Knowles, 17 Mike Cooper, 18 Chris Hill, 20 Mike McMeeken, 21 Marc Sneyd, 24 Kai Pearce-Paul
SAMOA
RLWC2021 so far:
Group A: Runners-up (lost to England 6-60, beat Greece 72-4 and France 62-4)
Quarter-finals: Beat Samoa 20-18
RLWC History:
First-ever semi-final appearance
Overall record: 10 wins, one draw, 10 defeats (47.6% win rate)
Matchday 19:
1 Joseph Sua'ali'i, 2 Taylon May, 4 Stephen Crichton, 5 Brian To'o, 6 Jarome Luai, 7 Anthony Milford, 8 Josh Papali'i, 10 Junior Paulo, 11 Ligi Sao, 12 Jaydn Su'A, 15 Royce Hunt, 16 Spence Leniu, 17 Marty Taupau, 20 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 21 Fa'amanu Brown, 22 Kelma Tuilagi, 23 Oregon Kaufusi, 25 Tim Lafai, 26 Ken Sio
The performances of England's teams at this World Cup has ensured a tidal wave of belief going into the three semi-finals, and having already battered Samoa 60-6 in their opener there is very recent form behind Shaun Wane's men's team. But the head coach will be driving home the message that they should expect a very different Samoan line-up this time around to the one that fell apart in the second half in Newcastle a month ago.
England bring back Luke Thompson in place of Matty Lees, but there shouldn't be too many changes in approach from the one which saw Papua New Guinea stung for 38 points in the opening 27 minutes at the DW Stadium in the quarter-final. They were expecting a huge, tough Samoa to be in their crosshairs at St James' Park, and while that didn't happen they will surely get exactly that this time around.
For Samoa, the hammering on opening day is very much a thing of the past. Two big wins over Greece and France showed they were getting some rhythm into their legs, and their wonderful win over the world's number two side in Tonga at the quarter-final stage proved that they really are the real deal.
Having looked leggy against England first time out, this is a far sharper side heading into the semi-final and full-back Joseph Sua'ali'i is really beginning to wow the fans. The 19-year-old full-back has been one of the stars of the tournament, and with Anthony Milford starring in the win over Tonga there is every reason to expect an all-out spectacle at the Emirates Stadium.
Sportsman stat: While this is the first ever rugby league match at the new Arsenal ground, England beat Australia at their old Highbury stadium in October 1921. The 5-4 England win was one of nine fixtures the Kangaroos played between the first and second Ashes Tests against Great Britain.
Betfred match odds: England 1/3, Samoa 12/5, draw 18/1
Betfred tournament odds: Australia 1/4, England 7/2, Samoa 16/1
*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject to Change
