Huddersfield Giants star Leroy Cudjoe is in the England RL starting line-up to face Italy at Salford City Stadium on Saturday (4.30pm).
The 25-year-old centre is selected by coach Steve McNamara for the first senior international between the two countries just a week before England open the World Cup tournament against Australia.
It's not an official Test, but McNamara is using 20 of his 24-man World Cup squad.
Cudjoe's John Smith's Stadium colleague Brett Ferres is in the England Knights squad - selected by Giants assistant Kieron Purtill - to play Samoa in Saturday's curtain-raiser (2pm).
Leeds Rhinos back Zak Hardaker and South Sydney forward Tom Burgess from the senior World Cup squad are also in the Knights side, while Giants utility man Michael Lawrence is on the bench.
McNamara said of the Italy match: “This is the first time that both nations have played each other at this level and it should be ideal preparation before we take on Australia a week later in the opening game of the Rugby League World Cup 2013 in Cardiff.
"Italy have made tremendous progress and are well equipped with quality players representing them from the NRL and Super League.
“The make-up of the side looks very exciting, with the right blend of youth and experience. There is a great opportunity for the players to really push on and stake a claim for a start against Australia the following week.
“Our preparation has been first-class we have trained exceptionally well at our camp in Potchefstroom, South Africa. This is the best prepared side to come from England and we are ready for what promises to be the most competitive World Cup in history.”
The England team to face Italy: Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders), Carl Ablett (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Parkside), Leroy Cudjoe (Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers), Tom Briscoe (Hull FC, Featherstone Lions), Rangi Chase (Castleford Tigers, Dannevirke Tigers), Kevin Sinfield, captain (Leeds Rhinos, Waterhead), James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs, Blackbrook), Michael McIlorum (Wigan Warriors, Queens), Lee Mossop (Wigan Warriors, Hensingham), Gareth Hock (Widnes Vikings, Wigan St Judes), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor).
Interchange: Josh Charnley (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos, Latchford Albion), Gareth Widdop (Melbourne Storm, King Cross), Rob Burrow (Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves, New Spring Lions), James Roby (St Helens, Blackbrook), George Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor).
England Knights team to face Samoa: Tommy Makinson (St Helens, Wigan St Judes), Iain Thornley (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), Josh Jones (St Helens, Blackbrook), Zak Hardaker (Leeds Rhinos, Featherstone Lions), Ben Cockayne (Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Normanton Knights), Daniel Sarginson (London Broncos, Hemel Stags), Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Dewsbury Moor), Josh Hodgson (Hull KR, East Hull), Scott Taylor (Wigan Warriors, Skirlaugh), Brett Ferres (Huddersfield Giants, Smawthorne Panthers), Elliott Whitehead (Catalan Dragons, West Bowling), Dominic Crosby (Wigan Warriors, Wigan & Leigh College).
Interchange: Chris Green (Hull FC, Skirlaugh), Jack Hughes (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Judes), Michael Lawrence (Huddersfield Giants, Newsome Panthers), Kieran Dixon (London Broncos, Hemel Stags), Brad Singleton (Leeds Rhinos, Barrow Island), Josh Bowden (Hull FC, Hull Wyke), Logan Tomkins (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks).
