England Academy coach Richard Marshall is happy with the way his squad have come together this week and is preparing them for a physical battle against the Australian Schoolboys on Saturday at Leigh Sports Village (2.00pm).

The Schoolboys have already played warm-up games against an England Regional Academies team, Wigan Warriors Academy and Leeds Rhinos Academy and go into the first test with a 100 per cent record.

“I attended the Wigan and Leeds games. They were very lively and I thought the home sides made a good fist of it,” said Marshall.

“Australia are a big, powerful side. This is something we are going to have to match on Saturday.

“We will be keeping an eye on what they might throw at us down the middle. They also have some dangerous players in the outside backs that will need taking care of too.

“It’s important that we defend strongly. If they want to score then we’re going to make it very difficult for them.”

This is the squad’s first week in camp and Marshall is pleased with the way the players have bonded and taken to his style of play. He has seen some promising young talent in training and firmly believes they are on the right path to represent the first team in the future.

“The mood in camp is fantastic and we are starting to build on each other’s trust and honesty as the days go on,” said Marshall.

“There is a natural pathway for these players to progress on to the England Knights, then the Elite Training Squad and then hopefully make their debut for the England senior team. This path has been trodden and proven.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge against the Australian Schoolboys and I think it’ll be a great atmosphere at Leigh. We’ll put on a good show for all the fans.”

England Academy coach Richard Marshall and Australian Schoolboys coach Brian Battese have named their 17-man squads for the first game of the 2014 Autumn Academy International Series.

The game takes place at Leigh Sports Village tomorrow with a 2.00pm kick-off.

The England squad is as follows (professional club and community club in brackets):

Ash Golding (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)

Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos, Stanley Rangers)

Oliver Gildart (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

Toby King (Warrington Wolves, Meltham All Blacks)

Callum Lancaster (Hull FC, East Hull)

Jordan Abdul (Hull FC, Skirlaugh)

Will Maher (Castleford Tigers, Ulverston)

Robbie Ward (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)

Tyler Dickinson (Huddersfield Giants, Siddal)

Oliver Davies (St Helens, Orrell St James)

Nick Gregson (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)

Jansin Turgut - Captain (Hull FC, West Hull)

Luke Waterworth (Wigan Warriors, Ince Rose Bridge)

Ted Chapelhow (Widnes Vikings, West Bank Bears)

Mikey Wood (Huddersfield Giants, Slaithwaite Saracens)

Elliott Minchella (Leeds Rhinos, West Bowling)

Joe Keyes (London Broncos, Medway Dragons)

Australian Schoolboys (professional club and school in brackets):

Latrell Mitchell (Sydney City Roosters, Marist College Pagewood NSW)

Connor Cox (Morayfield State High School, Morayfield QLD)

Tyrell Fuiaomano (Parramatta Eels, Patrician Brothers College Blacktown NSW)

Tevita Cottrell (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Patrician Brothers College Blacktown NSW)

Gideon Gela (North Queensland Cowboys, Kirwan State High School Townsville QLD)

Brock Lamb (Newcastle Knights, St Mary’s College Maitland NSW)

Jack Cogger (Newcastle Knights, Mackillop Catholic College Warnervale NSW)

Hame Sele (St George Illawarra Dragons, Kingsgrove High School Kingsgrove NSW)

Jayden Brailey (Cronulla Sharks, Acquinas Catholic College Manai NSW)

Tom Amone (Parramatta Eela, The Hills Sports High School Seven Hills NSW)

Ray Stone (West Tigers, Wollindilly Anglican College Bargo NSW)

Ash Nisbet (Cronulla Sharks, St Gregory’s College Cambeltown NSW)

Nat Butcher (South Sydney Rabbitohs, Macellin College Randwick NSW)

Jacob Liddle (West Tigers, Wadalba Community School Wadalba NSW)

Luicano Leilua (St George Illawarra Dragons, Endeavour Sports High School Caringbah NSW)

Keegan Hipgrave (Brisbane Broncos, Palm Beach Currumbin State High School Palm Beach QLD)

Jacob Host (St George Illawarra Dragons, De la Salle College Revesby Heights NSW)

See the stars of the future as England Academy take on the Australian Schoolboys on Saturday 6 December at Leigh Sports Village (2.00pm). This is a pay on the door event - £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.