Frank Pritchard has been ruled out of Samoa's rugby league Test against England next month due to a foot injury.
The Parramatta forward, who was released by Hull to lead the Samoans against Tonga last May, has been ruled out for up to three months with a foot injury sustained in the Eels' NRL loss to the Warriors.
Canberra second rower Sia Soliola, formerly of St Helens, looms as the obvious choice to take over as skipper for the May 6 international but Samoa coach Matt Parish admits the loss of Pritchard is a setback for a match considered vital to preparations for the World Cup later this year.
"Losing Frank is a big blow for us but it will give an opportunity to someone else and we are still going to have a strong team." Parish told rlwc2017.com.
Despite the absence of Pritchard, Samoa are set to field their strongest ever Test line-up against England at Campbelltown Stadium with Brisbane's Anthony Milford and Raiders centre Joey Leilua the headline acts.
Parish has no shortage of talent to choose from and some tough selection decisions will have to be made with other NRL players expected to be chosen including Sam Kasiano, Junior Paulo, Josh McGuire, Leeson Ah Mau, Peter and Sione Mata'utia, Antonio Winterstein, Tim Lafai, David Nofoaluma, Sauaso Sue, Isaac Liu and Nu Brown.
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