The Knights play a key role in the development of emerging talent, allowing players to gain experience in an international environment and to compete for a place in the England first team.

The idea of a second England team originated in the 1990s as "Emerging England" to give young players a chance to play internationally before being called up to the senior side.

Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s Emerging England played against the senior sides of developing nations.

The following year they competed in and won the 2012 European Championship and defeated Samoa in a 2013 test match.

The team is managed by Leeds Rhinos head coach Lois Forsell.