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For all the inevitability of the result, England coach Tony Smith has no doubts that the match at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium will stand his team in good stead for years, not just weeks to come.

As well as offering a valuable workout for the World Cup squad members who were not involved in last Saturday's Super League grand final, Smith is looking for some of the players who will form the backbone of the England team in years to come to prove their international pedigree.

They include 22-year-olds Louis McCarthy-Scarsbrook, the Harlequins prop, and Castleford centre Michael Shenton, 21-year-old Londoner Tony Clubb and Hull KR winger Peter Fox, who made a try-scoring England debut against France in June.

England kick off their World Cup campaign with a match against Papua New Guinea in Townsville on Saturday, October 25 when the conditions are likely to be tropical, but Smith said the difference in climate between North Queensland and South Yorkshire was largely irrelevant.

"This is a crucial fixture because some of these players haven't played for six or seven weeks," he said. "They need a game of rugby league before we get to Townsville.

"It's also crucial for the development of some of our young people. Years ago we used to have a Great Britain under-24s, but not any more.

"It seems like a massive jump for me from under-18s right up to open age. To have a fixture like this where we give young people international experience will be very valuable to nurturing them."

Wales, missing eight senior players through injury, give debuts to six players, including Rhys Griffiths, the son of former Wales duel code international Clive, but Smith insists England will not take their opponents lightly.

"Wales will be young, enthusiastic and determined to show that they should have gone to the World Cup," said Smith. "They are going through a development phase and that's great – we are trying to enhance their future and develop all the home nations.

"They will play with a lot of pride and passion – I have been very impressed with John Dixon as a coach and I'm sure he will have them playing well."

Dixon, who is assisted by Justin Morgan and Iestyn Harris, regards tonight's match as an opportunity to launch a new chapter in the chequered history of rugby league in Wales.

"This is a very exciting time for us as we are looking to provide the long-term sustainability for the rugby league code in Wales," said Dixon.

"There are a number of players coming through the ranks who will have a chance to shine on Friday night and it will be a massive step for them.

"These players are the long-term future of Wales and they are all looking forward to the game."

England: Briscoe (Hull KR); Fox (Hull KR), Shenton (Castleford), Sykes (Bradford), Calderwood (Wigan); Gleeson (Warrington, capt), Myler (Salford); Fielden (Wigan), Higham (Wigan), McCarthy-Scarsbrook (Harlequins), Hock (Wigan), Westwood (Warrington), Purdham (Harlequins). Substitutes: Hodgson (Huddersfield), Langley (Bradford), Griffin (Huddersfield), Clubb (Harlequins).

Wales: Halley (Bradford); Gibson (Halifax), James (Crusaders), Williams (Crusaders), Williams (Warrington); Lennon (Crusaders), Watson (Leigh); Kopzcak (Bradford), Penkywicz (Halifax), Mills (Hull KR, capt), Flower (Crusaders), Geraint Davies (Crusaders), Bracek (Warrington). Substitutes: Webster (Crusaders), R Griffiths (Castleford), J James (Crusaders), Barron (Gateshead).

Referee: S Ganson (England).