Hosting international rugby league a big boost for ‘buzzing’ borough and local economy as England face Samoa

The two international giants will go head-to-head this Sunday, October 27, as part of a two-match Test series as England look to avenge their heartbreaking World Cup semi-final defeat two years ago.

“It’s absolutely fantastic that we’ve got the first Test here in Wigan,” Coun Molyneux said. “International rugby league is something that excites fans of all clubs.

“There’s a buzz around the place, particularly about rugby league at the moment. In the recent Super League game against Leigh, the place was buzzing.

“We do know that when the big games are taking place at the Brick, there’s an atmosphere in the town that is second to none and people certainly put all their passion on show. And at international level, I’m sure we’ll see that on Sunday.”

Almost 40,000 supporters cheered on England in-person during their three-game series against Tonga last autumn, while 23,179 attended the last rugby league international fixture held in Wigan, attracting the highest crowd of the quarter-finals in the 2022 World Cup as Wane’s side claimed a 46-6 victory over Papua New Guinea.

More than 12,000 tickets have been sold for Sunday’s clash, with hopes of reaching the 15,000 mark before kick-off.

“You know for a fact that when there’s a major sporting event at the Brick Community Stadium, whether that’s football or rugby league, the town, all the pubs and all the cafes are certainly buzzing,” Coun Molyneux continued.

“I certainly think on Sunday that it will be no different. I’m sure our hospitality sector will appreciate it.

“I think it recognises us as a place in terms of our sporting credibility to have a game like this taking place. It’s how we like to see ourselves as a place that can host international events, and obviously sporting events are a big thing for us. It is certainly good for us as a borough, and it’s certainly good for the local economy when we can have events like this.”

Five Wigan Grand Final winners have been named in the 24-strong squad, including uncapped duo Liam Marshall and Junior Nsemba after their respective standout campaigns, while the team has been led by former Warriors boss Wane since 2020.

Meanwhile, after helping Leigh Leopards reach the Super League semi-finals for the club’s first time in history, John Asiata and Ricky Leutele have been selected for the visiting nation.

“For somebody from this borough to manage the national side is really a feather in our cap,” Coun Molyneux added.

“There will be a lot of talent from the borough on show - including for Samoa. That gives it that extra buzz when we know that people who represent our rugby league teams in this borough will be on show on the international stage.

“Some of the best rugby league players in the world will be on show on Sunday. I think as people know, once you get that level of intensity at international rugby league, it takes some beating, and this will be a classic example of that.”