England have lost just two of their 10 matches under Shaun Wane - last year’s World Cup semi-final against Samoa and the first game of his tenure versus the Combined All Stars.

They have lost the only two games in which they have gone behind under Wane. So making a good start could be key...

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens

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Speaking to England Rugby League about ticket sales earlier this week, I was told they had sold more than 10,000 in advance for this game.

There are hopes for a good atmosphere today, helped by some local familiarity with the Tonga team. They are coached by Kristian Woolf, who led St Helens to three Super League crowns and a Challenge Cup between 2020 and 2022.

How many locals are persuaded to support the Pacific islanders thanks to their affiliation with Woolf, remains to be seen.

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You can also listen to live radio commentary courtesy of BBC Radio Merseyside.

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens

Image source, Getty Images

While having a coffee at St Helens Junction station this morning, I overheard conversations between customers about the rugby league - standard practice in these parts.

The talk wasn't hugely enthusiastic, with patrons saying they weren't too interested in going to see Tonga, a side without the international cache of Australia or New Zealand.

However, those who have come along today should be in for a treat - this Tonga side are stacked in NRL and Super League talent. This should be no pushover for England.

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This is a series between the sides ranked fourth and fifth in the world, with England narrowly the higher. Tonga have a squad packed with talent seen in Australia's National Rugby League as well as three Super League players - Huddersfield playmaker Tui Lolohea, plus St Helens duo Konrad Hurrell and Will Hopoate.

England and Tonga last played each other in an epic World Cup semi-final in 2017 in Auckland, New Zealand. Since then, Kristian Woolf's side have beaten both Australia and Great Britain in one-off games.

Who are you excited about seeing in an England shirt? What changes would you still like to see? And how big a test will Tonga prove over the next few weeks?

Let us know your thoughts on the usual channels...

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Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis and Leeds centre Harry Newman both make their England debuts.

Can they make a big impression this afternoon?

Emma Smith
BBC Sport at Totally Wicked Stadium, St Helens

Image source, Getty Images

Hello from sunny St Helens, where thankfully the start of this Test series has not been dampened by Storm Babet.

Any fears that the recent bad weather which has battered the country could have an impact on today's game have thankfully proved unfounded.

It's a clear, cool October day - perfect conditions for top quality rugby.

St Helens full-back Jack Welsby becomes the youngest ever captain of the England men's rugby league team at the age of 22, on his club's home ground.

Welsby leads the team in the absence of George Williams, who is suspended for the first two games of this three-Test series.

Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis and Leeds centre Harry Newman make their first England appearances today.

England: Welsby; Makinson, King, Newman, Johnstone; Lewis, Smith; Burgess, Clark, Lees, Bateman. Whitehead, Radley.

Interchanges: Walker, Knowles, Hill, McMeeken.

18th player: Farrell.

Tonga: Hopoate; Toa, Penisini, Suli, Koula; Lolohea, Katoa; Fonua-Blake, Havili, Fotuaika, Frizell, Koloamatangi, Kaufusi.

Interchanges: Teaupa, Tatola, Olakau'atu, Sele.

18th player: Katoa.

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Tonga are not your usual league tourists.

In fact, today sees the start of a three-match contest - the first time a Pacific Island nation has played a standalone series on these shores.

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The three matches, at St Helens, Huddersfield and Leeds offer both sides a chance to set the record straight. The head coaches of both countries have cited their disappointment at respective quarter and semi-final place finishes at last year’s World Cup and while England enjoyed a routine win against France in April, the opening Test offers the teams ranked fourth and fifth in the world the first stage of a meaningful shot at redemption.

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Shall we?