STEFAN Ratchford has been called into the England squad for the mid-season Test against Samoa.

The Wolves full-back will travel to Australia for the game in Sydney on May 6 as a replacement for the injured Gareth Widdop.

Ratchford joins Wire skipper Chris Hill in Wayne Bennett’s 20-man squad and will now miss Wolves’ game against St Helens on May 5.

Half-back Widdop has been ruled out for six weeks after injuring his knee playing in the NRL for St George Illawarra Dragons against Sydney Roosters.

Ratchford was named in Bennett's squad for last year's Four Nations and appeared from the bench in the preceeding Test match against France, but was not selected for any of England's three tournament games.