Brian McDermott names 10 uncapped players in England's 38-man World Cup squad
Quick Look
- England coach Brian McDermott has named a 38-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, including 10 uncapped players and the recalled Man of Steel Jake Connor.
- McDermott, who took over from Shaun Wane, aims to assess talent for the tournament.
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Why It Matters
England coach Brian McDermott has selected an expanded 38-man squad for the upcoming World Cup, featuring 10 uncapped players and the recalled Jake Connor. McDermott took over from Shaun Wane after England's Ashes series loss.
England coach Brian McDermott has picked 10 uncapped players in an expanded 38-man performance squad before this year's World Cup - and Man of Steel Jake Connor has also been recalled.
Connor, 31, has not played for England for seven years and was controversially left out of Shaun Wane's squad for last autumn's Ashes home series against Australia, which England lost 3-0.
Wane stepped down in January, with former Leeds head coach McDermott, 56, taking over until the end of the World Cup, which will be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea this October and November.
The new faces in his first selection include Wakefield Trinity duo Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wigan pair Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR second-row Dean Hadley plus St Helens centre Harry Robertson.
McDermott said: "I've enjoyed the process of looking throughout Super League and the NRL for players who could potentially play for England in the 2026 World Cup.
"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."
Open Questions
- Who will make the final World Cup squad?
- What is the full extent of McDermott's plans for the team?
