England coach Brian McDermott has recalled reigning Man of Steel Jake Connor and named 10 uncapped players in a 38-man performance squad ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Leeds Rhinos’ player Connor has not played for his country in seven years and was overlooked by then England coach Shaun Wane for the 3-0 Ashes defeat at home to Australia last autumn.
The 10 newbies include Wakefield Trinity’s Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wigan Warriors’ Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR’s Dean Hadley and St Helens’ Harry Robertson.
Canterbury Bulldogs’ prop Max King, Canberra Raiders’ hooker Jayden Brailey, Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith and Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Talty are also potential debutants.
Wigan Warriors’ Zach Eckersley (left) is one of 10 uncapped players in head coach Brian McDermott’s party
The 2026 World Cup takes place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea during October and November, with McDermott coaching England after Wane stepped down from the role in January.
England, runners-up in 1975, 1995 and 2017, reached the semi-finals on home soil in 2021 before losing to Samoa.
Their opening match this year is against Tonga on October 17.
McDermott said: “It is clear there is a raft of talent available at our disposal and it’s encouraging to see the sort of player who could be lining up for us in a few months’ time.
“Obviously, this is still just the first group of players we’ve selected: there is still plenty of opportunity for others to play their way into contention before the World Cup squad is announced.”
England 38-man performance programme group: Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Zach Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Ash Handley, Jake Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Ben Currie, Danny Walker, George Williams, Matty Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis (all Hull KR), Morgan Smithies, Jayden Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Victor Radley, Billy Smith (both Sydney Roosters), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Welsby, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Harry Robertson (all St Helens), Morgan Knowles, Herbie Farnworth (both Dolphins), Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jake Trueman, Tom Johnstone (all Wakefield), Matt King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
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