2024 Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick her re-earned her spot in the national side for Barkindji and Ngapuhi-Ngāti Hine coach Jess Skinner's first match in the role when the Jillaroos face England in Las Vegas on Saturday.

Kernick, 24, has been named at second row for her fourth Test and the historic fixture during the NRL's second season-starting venture to the US.

The duel Indigenous and Māori All Star was controversially left out of departed Jillaroos coach Brad Donald's sides for the recent Pacific Championships - weeks after being handed the games highest individual honour after a stellar NRLW campaign.

She's one of a short list of changes to the side which lifted the Pacific Championship trophy over New Zealand in November's final.

Kernick previously featured in four games for the Jillaroos in 2022, without facing England.

She's since added five State of Origin appearances for the Sky Blues, and helped propel the Roosters to the 2024 premiership.

Fellow Indigenous Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton will play her first match against England having been named at fullback, with Mahalia Murphy slotting into the bench.

In October, Murphy made her first appearance for the Jillaroos since 2015 in their 84-nil drubbing of Papua New Guinea.

Fresh off a Trish Hina Medal-winning best on field performance for the Indigenous All Stars earlier this month, Keilee Joseph will also take on England in Vegas from the interchange bench.

Coached by Skinner, the Indigenous All Stars claimed a 20-18 final-seconds penalty goal win over the Māori side in Sydney.

Now taking the national side job after being named as interim replacement in early February, Skinner said the match plays an important role in their future in multiple senses.

Previously involved with the First Nations Gems, NRL Indigenous Women's Academy and Prime Minister's XIII alongside the Indigenous All Stars and Jillaroos as an assistant, Skinner stepped into the role after the Donald's quiet sudden departure following recent controversies, including questions around Kernick's omission from recent matches.

"This is an exciting opportunity for the Harvey Norman Jillaroos to play in Las Vegas and reach a new audience. We're looking forward to elevating women's rugby league on a world-class stage," she said.

"We have a strong rivalry with England and a lot has changed since we last faced them in 2017. This high-profile match is a great way to strengthen the national program and help the Jillaroos prepare for the 2026 World Cup.

"The team had an excellent training session before heading over to the USA and we're eager to bring everything together in Vegas for what promises to be an incredible game of women's rugby league."

The fixture is the Jillaroos first match against England since 2017.