Mate Ma'a Tonga will play their first test series in England this year.

England Rugby League has confirmed they will host Tonga in three tests in St Helens on October 22, Huddersfield on October 28 and Leeds on November 4.

The test series will be the first in which England has hosted a Pacific nation.

New Zealand's 1News reported that the initial plan was for New Zealand to be invited and while that fell through, England’s head coach Shaun Wane, insisted Tonga will pose a formidable challenge.

"Throughout my time as England head coach I have said we need to challenge ourselves against the best sides the international game has to offer - and Tonga are certainly one of those," Wane said.

"They've been a real success story on the international stage in recent years, building on their exploits at the 2017 World Cup, and they will offer a real test.

"It's also a great opportunity for us to get three high-quality Test matches under our belt as we continue to push towards the next World Cup in 2025."

Historic moment

Head coach for Tonga, Kristian Woolf is not underestimating how significant the series against England is for Tonga, who have recorded wins over Australia and Great Britain in recent years.

"There is no doubt that this is another historic moment for Tongan Rugby League," Woolf said.

"This will be the first time one of the Pacific Nations has been invited to play in a full three-Test series against England, in the place where our great game began.”

"It is easy to forget that this is an honour usually only reserved for countries like Australia and New Zealand.”

"I know our players are excited by this challenge, and are also keen to go back to England to try and prove what we can do in the northern hemisphere. We feel we did not showcase our best at last year's World Cup, and this will be an opportunity for Tonga to correct that."

World Cup

The two nations last met in the 2017 World Cup semifinal when more than 30,000 fans – mostly Tongans – filled Mt Smart Stadium as England won 20-18 despite Tonga’s late fightback. Australia beat England in the final in Brisbane a week later.

Tonga’s last fixture was in England in their quarterfinal defeat to Samoa in Warrington at last year’s World Cup.