Coach Matt Parish says his Samoan charges are not out to “bash” England despite their opponents this weekend laying down the challenge recently in the media.

Parish is adamant this Samoan side wants to play footy and have the best chance to do that with eight players featuring from the NRL grand final.

“It doesn’t really worry us that we’re the favourites (against England),” said Parish.

“We’re underdone for the first game. England played a trial match while our guys were on a plane.

“We had our first session this morning with the whole squad. We’ll have two more sessions this week and then we’ve got to play an opening World Cup game.”