With the league seasons also coming to an end in the southern hemisphere, here's a look at how some of the England players performed over in Australia at the weekend...
England front rower Tom Burgess played his final home game for South Sydney Rabbitohs and finished his NRL career on a high note when he scored in the closing stages.
The powerhouse prop also landed the conversion successfully and leaves the Rabbitohs as an individual who has impressively played the second most games for the club. His attention will now turn to the upcoming international matches against Samoa next month.
Fellow England internationals Herbie Farnworth and Morgan Smithies also saw their 2024 domestic seasons come to an end over the weekend.
Farnworth, who has been in scintillating form for the Dolphins in 2024, missed out on the NRL finals series after suffering a final round defeat to fellow top eight hopefuls Newcastle Knights.
Despite that, Farnworth’s form hasn’t faltered. The former Brisbane Bronco recorded over 250 run metres in his final two NRL games, a promising sign as he looks ahead to the upcoming test series against Samoa.
Morgan Smithies enjoyed a terrific debut season in the NRL after joining Canberra during the off season. Smithies missed just three games for the Raiders and stood up through the middle thanks to his staunch defence and ball playing ability.
He recorded an average of 37 tackles a game and was an integral part of the Raiders’ middle unit throughout the year.
Fellow NRL debutant and England international Kai Pearce-Paul’s season is set to carry on for at least one more week after his Newcastle side secured the final top eight spot at the expense of the Dolphins.
Pearce-Paul has missed his sides last two games after picking up a nasty leg laceration in Round 25 but has remained in the extended squad as he looks to break back into the side ahead of the finals series.
Dom Young is set for a crunch tie against Penrith Panthers in the first week of the NRL finals. Young’s Roosters side finished in the top four, meaning a win against the three-time Premiers would see them rewarded with a week off, but a loss would leave them in the last chance saloon heading into the second week of the finals.
Young’s Roosters and England teammate, Victor Radley, suffered a shoulder injury in Round 26 and has a chance of returning should the Roosters progress deeper into the finals after avoiding surgery on a fractured scapula.
England fans will be hoping Radley recovers in time for the test series against Samoa after his starring role in last year’s Tongan whitewash.
In the NRLW, Fran Goldthorp and the Cowboys kept their finals hopes alive thanks to a closely fought win against West Tigers.
Goldthorp’s England teammate Georgia Roche suffered a Round 7 defeat to Brisbane Broncos, but her Newcastle Knights side remained in the top four on points difference.
There are just rounds to go before the NRLW regular season ends and both players will be hoping to extend their domestic season into the finals before attention turns to November’s clash with Wales at Headingley.
Tickets for the England v Samoa Test series are available to buy now at rugby-league.com/tickets with prices starting per test match from £25 Adults and £12.50 Under 16s.
The new England RL shirt can also be purchased now from Oxen’s Elite Pro Sports online store.
