England head coach Brian McDermott has finalized his 23-man squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, omitting reigning Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor in favor of Hull KR playmaker Mikey Lewis.
Connor, the Leeds Rhinos half-back, missed out on the selection by a narrow margin as the coaching staff prioritized personnel best suited to executing the team's tactical framework. The omission marks another international disappointment for the 31-year-old following his controversial absence from the home series against Australia last autumn. Despite a stellar domestic campaign that earned him the top individual honor in 2025, Connor was deemed a tighter fit for alternative tactical demands.
In his place, Lewis secured a spot alongside captain George Williams of Warrington and Wigan's Harry Smith. Although Lewis experienced fluctuating form and disciplinary suspensions toward the end of the domestic season, McDermott highlighted the half-back's big-game pedigree, pointing to his role in capturing the World Club Challenge title and reaching the Challenge Cup final earlier in the year.
The selection brings an end to weeks of intense speculation regarding how the half-back positions would be structured. McDermott previously indicated that three specialist playmakers would likely travel for the tournament, with Williams locked in as a central pillar before his impending move to the NRL's Dolphins.
The broader 23-player roster reflects McDermott's emphasis on recent finals experience and tactical alignment capable of challenging the world's elite rugby league nations. The coach stressed that England must adopt a distinctive playing style rather than relying on conventional methods if they are to successfully contend for the trophy.
The squad also features several notable additions, including heritage selections who qualify through family lineage. Australia-born utility back Hugo Savala, fresh from an NRL Grand Final victory with the Sydney Roosters, has been included alongside Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Talty. Max King, a Bulldogs front-rower born in Huddersfield during his father's playing career in England, also earns a place in the traveling party.
England's tournament preparations will kick off in Pool play on October 17 against Tonga in Perth. The national side will remain in the Western Australian city to face France on October 24 before traveling to Wollongong to close out the group stage against Papua New Guinea on October 30.
The full England squad includes Matty Ashton, AJ Brimson, Ben Currie, Zach Eckersley, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Havard, Max King, Morgan Knowles, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Junior Nsemba, Brad O'Neill, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Hugo Savala, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Ben Talty, Jack Welsby, George Williams, and Dom Young.
Reporting based on coverage first published by BBC Sport. Read the original report at BBC Sport.
