Paul Cullen, the England coach, will give debuts to Wakefield centre Ryan Atkins and Hull second rower Graeme Horne against Samoa at the KC Stadium on Sunday.

Danny Williams, the Leeds winger, is also set to return after sitting out Sunday’s 40-18 win over Tonga but Cullen has decided against bringing Ben Westwood, the Warrington back rower, back for the last group game ahead of the final.

Westwood was called into the Great Britain squad for their warm-up match in New South Wales and flew back to England just over a week ago. He was set to rejoin the group this week but will instead begin a much-needed break.

“I have spoken to Benny at length,” said Cullen. “He is really tired. He went to Australia with a knee injury carried over from his season with Warrington. It’s still a little bit sore and there is no point in risking him. He needs a rest more than he needs another game.”

Horne has not played since Hull’s Grand Final defeat by St Helens because of a slight ankle injury, followed by a bout of flu, while Atkins’s debut has been delayed by a training accident in the gym.

“Ryan has missed the first two games after breaking a hand,” said Cullen. “But he has recovered now and we are going to have a look at him.

“It was a really tough game on Sunday and there were a couple of sore bodies but fortunately everyone has pulled through. We’ve a full complement and everyone is training with a smile on their face.”

Williams made his England debut in their opening win over France before making way for David Hodgson, the Great Britain winger, against Tonga.

Sunday’s game is effectively a dead rubber, with England having already qualified for the final and Samoa destined for the wooden spoon, but Cullen says there will be no let-up from his winning team.

“We’re looking to build on what we’ve done so far,” he said.