THE cream of Super League drawn from both hemispheres will head to St Helens on Saturday evening in the landmark first representative game at Langtree Park.

The clash sees a welcome return to the borough of popular former Saints boss Daniel Anderson, who is charged with plotting England’s downfall in his capacity as Exiles coach.

Saints provide a large chunk of the Exiles squad with Francis Meli, Sia Soliola, Lance Hohaia, Anthony Laffranchi and Tony Puletua all included.

The game will give home fans an early glimpse of Willie Manu, who will be wearing the red vee next season after penning a two-year deal.

England coach Steve McNamara has included James Roby and Jon Wilkin in the squad in a game that will throw up some interesting mate against mate duels.

One such direct confrontation will come at dummy half with Anderson opting to play Hohaia at nine, coming face to face with Roby.

Anderson said: “ Lance will probably play hooker - he’s done that at international level but if Brett Hodgson was not fit I would play him at full back because those are the two positions I have seen him play in.”

Anderson is currently working as a commentator in Sydney, but he will be in charge of the Samoan World Cup side next year. He is looking forward to this game.

“The Exiles fixture is a young concept but is improving.

“It is important for the development of English players. It is important for all those exiles in the northern hemisphere to get the chance of being in a rep camp. They know they are representing the southern hemisphere and want to play in it.”

Exiles shocked the hosts last year when George Carmont’s last minute try secured victory at Headingley. That should have given England a prod – and in his Star column this week Saints loose forward Jon Wilkin writes that the hosts have to win for the long term good of the English competition.

Wilkin said: “The match is a massive challenge for us but realistically for the game to improve in this country we need to be consistently beating the Exiles.”

However, Saints’ coaches past and present – Anderson and his assistant Mike Rush – will be plotting a different outcome.

Anderson said: “I expect a response from England, but if we get stuck in with commitment and attitude we have the talent to make it very uncomfortable for England.

“It is not about whether we are skilful enough it is about how we dig into the game.”