Ipape and Leigh Leopards teammate Liam Horne are named in Papua New Guinea’s starting line-up to face England in a do-or-die World Cup clash in Wollongong, Australia.

England have won their three previous World Cup clashes with PNG, starting with a hard fought 32-22 victory in Australia in 2008.

To avoid exiting this tournament at the group stage, Brian McDermott’s side must make it four out of four and then hope Tonga beat Samoa in Sydney 48 hours later.

Samoa crushed Ipape, Horne and co 64-6 last weekend, outscoring their hosts 13 tries to one.

But the Kumuls will look to reprise a famous 28-10 win over Great Britain in Port Moresby in 2019.

Edwin Ipape, back in 2019 when he helped his country to a stunning success against Great Britain (Image: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz /SWpix.com)

Trailing 10-0, the Kumuls hit back, started by a sensational Ipape solo try before half-time.

Three years later, he signed for compatriot and Leopards head coach Adrian Lam and has developed into one of the game’s most combative hookers.

George Williams, handed a GB debut by Wayne Bennett in that game, is the only survivor in England’s latest selection by McDermott.

Smarting from an opening 30-12 loss to Tonga, England gave themselves a fighting chance with an 82-0 rout of France.

However, progress to the last four remains out of their control, especially with the key fixtures two days apart.

Should Samoa reprise last year’s win over Tonga, England will be eliminated due to their inferior head-to-head record against Tonga.

A Tonga victory, however, will ensure points difference between England and Samoa will be crucial.

England's difference is +64 while Samoa boast a difference of +132.

If England beat PNG by 68 points or more, then any Tongan victory is good enough.

Fewer than 68, and they will be really sweating.

PNG head coach Jason Demetriou has recalled Horne to the starting side after he played 50 minutes off the bench last weekend.

PNG led Samoa 6-4 before being finally blown away.

In the competition’s convoluted format, France, Lebanon and the Cook Islands have all been eliminated.

Favourites Australia are confirmed in the semi-finals but the three remaining berths remain to be filled.

New Zealand will join them should they avoid defeat to Fiji leaving England, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Tonga to battle it out for the other two spots.

* Leigh have yet to discover if they will face London Broncos in an expanded 15 team Super League in 2027.

Broncos are keen to participate even without central funding but a decision isn’t expected until after the World Cup.