Ex-Huddersfield prop David Fa'alogo leads the Samoan warcry as they lay down the gauntlet to their English opponents. The wild-eyed stares of the wailing, shrieking Samoans are met by icy glares from the England players. I'd be fearing for my life if I was watching that...

Richard Mathers
Former England full-back on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I'm expecting some big hits, collisions and line speed during these opening exchanges. The Samoans are big boys."

Rousing rendition of the Samoan anthem, before some character sporting Victorian-style facial hair blasts out 'God Save The Queen'. Loads of England shirts in the stands too.

Now, here's one of THE greatest spectacles in the sporting world. The Samoan Haka....

Plenty of Samoan supporters waving their national flags in the stands as their heroes trudge out. England follow shortly after, led by James Graham, looking very relaxed as the players high five the supporters hanging their hands over the tunnel wall.

Clear those vocal chords - it is national anthem time.

These rugby league boys aren't going to win any prizes for punctuality. The teams are only just sauntering out of the Suncorp Stadium tunnel.

Image source, Getty Images

France. Papua New Guinea. Wales. These three have all tried mixing it up with the big boys in previous Four Nations - now it is the turn of Samoa.

While England, Australia and New Zealand's participation was guaranteed, the Samoans had to qualify by beating fellow Pacific Islanders Fiji in May.

The Samoa team includes Castleford-bound stand-off Ben Roberts, while St Helens prop Mose Masoe and Wakefield hooker or half-back Pita Godinet are on the bench.

And there's also a familiar face on the touchline. Former St Helens hero Sean Long is the Samoans' assistant coach.

Marc Bazeley:, external A lot of beards in the England team these days.

MARK MITCHELL:, external Great to be up early for #bbcrl. Cup of tea and four or five hours of rugby league to look forward to.

England's injured skipper Sean O'Loughlin: "I'm really frustrated not to be playing today. The boys are ready to go though.

"We have been training around kick-off time to get used to the heat and a lot of the match should be in the shade. We have done well in the humidity and conditions.

"Samoa have a lot of NRL players and couple of Super League ones and they will be tough but we are confident of winning."

Right here's your five-minute warning. Grab yourself another cup of tea, a bacon buttie perhaps, and settle down ahead of kick-off.

And while you're doing that, don't be afraid to get in touch. Can England win this tournament? Tweet #bbcrl or text 81111. The floor is yours.

Image source, Getty Images

England fans won't want to rewind almost 12 months - but we have to I'm afraid. This is the team's first outing since that painful World Cup semi-final exit against New Zealand.

Steve McNamara's men had high hopes of ending 38 years of southern hemisphere dominance by Australia and New Zealand in the tournament on home soil.

But they were denied a place in the final in the cruellest fashion. Kiwi star Shaun Johnson's last-minute try clinched a thrilling 20-18 win for the Kiwis. Time for redemption?

Nick Frost:, external Backs are what I'd have gone for. Forwards though, Joel Tomkins shouldn't be in the squad, never mind the team. Should defo be Elliot Whitehead!

Jamie Peacock
Former England captain on BBC Two

"Sam Burgess is an incredible player. Off the back of the semi-final which was the best England performance in the last 20 years, he became dedicated and all his life was about was playing for the Rabbitohs. England will miss that today."

Former England international Sam Burgess, who is heading to Bath rugby union, on BBC Two: "Come kick-off time I'll be jumping out of my seat, sat with my mum. I've been around the team during the week and I have certainly got itchy feet.

"Handing out the team shirts to the England players was a great moment for me, I really enjoyed it. I fly back to England in a few days, down south in Bath, but for now I will enjoy the weekend off and might sneak in a few beers."

Image source, @RugbyLeagueSamoa

Rugby League Samoa:, external The crowd is building at Suncorp #ToaSamoa #4Nations

Image source, Getty Images

Clearly the Four Nations is exactly what it says on the tin - like a well-marketed brand of paint. Four teams slugging it out to win one of the most prestigious prizes in international rugby league.

The 2014 tournament is the fourth edition of the tournament and sees Australia, New Zealand, England and Samoa involved.

The teams play each other once in the pool stage with the top two nations going through to the final on 15 November.

Australia beat England in the 2009 and 2011 finals, but lost to New Zealand in the 2010 showpiece. Can England finally end the Southern Hemisphere stranglehold?

Jamie Peacock
Former England captain on BBC Two

"James Graham is a wonderful player and took Canterbury to the NRL Grand Final. He has developed as a leader down under. He picks out the small man when running and I expect to see a lot of that today.

"Sam Tomkins should be on his inside when he sets the play up. Samoa will need to stop that. Teams have tried and have been unable to do that. He has exceptional vision and the skill to hit the right play at the right time."

Image source, @NRL

NRL:, external The England RL team warming up before the #4Nations opener!

Brian Noble
Former Great Britain coach on BBC Two

"I think England will be fluent. Traditionally they struggled early on in tournament but the stakes are really high. The way this tournament is being managed, with travel over coming weeks, I think a win is vital. It will certainly be no gimmee though."

Image source, EPA

Prop James Graham will lead out England after injury ruled out Wigan loose forward Sean O'Loughlin (pictured above).

O'Loughlin succeeded Kevin Sinfield as skipper but has failed to recover from a quad muscle injury suffered in his team's Super League Grand Final defeat.

Samoa are missing three players who were not considered for selection following a nightclub incident in Brisbane at the weekend.

Reni Maitua, Tautau Moga and Sauaso Sue were omitted by coach Matt Parish - who you may remember had a brief spell as Salford coach a few years ago - and are the subject of an NRL integrity unit review.