Connor out by small margin

Jake Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel, has been left out of England's 23-man Rugby League World Cup squad. Head coach Brian McDermott said Connor missed out by a small margin.

“Jake Connor missed out on selection by a small margin and it came down to who I think can best stick to the game plan and attack plan.”

Lewis gets the nod instead

Hull KR's Mikey Lewis has been selected as one of England's half-back options for the tournament. Lewis joins captain George Williams of Warrington and Wigan's Harry Smith as half-back choices.

Connor's second England disappointment

This is Connor's second major England disappointment. He was controversially omitted from the squad for last autumn's home series against Australia, and now misses the World Cup squad.

McDermott explains Lewis selection

McDermott said Lewis won a World Club Challenge at the start of this year and guided his team to a Challenge Cup final. McDermott acknowledged Lewis was not in the best shape towards the back of the year and incurred a couple of bans.

“I've picked a group of player that have recent history of playing in finals, winning finals, delivering when it matters.”

McDermott's gameplan focus

McDermott said he has selected a squad of players who will best play to the game style and attack plan England needs to compete with leading nations. He said England must play with a point of difference.

“We can't do the usual things, and I made this a point when I took the job. We've got to play with a point of difference.”

World Cup campaign begins October 17

England begin their World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on October 17. They face France in Perth on October 24 and Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on October 30.

Heritage players included

McDermott has called up two uncapped Australia-born players: versatile back Hugo Savala, part of Sydney Roosters' NRL Grand Final-winning squad, and Brisbane Broncos front-rower Ben Talty. Max King, born in Huddersfield, also earns a first call-up.

Wakefield players all injured

Grand Final winners Wakefield have no players in the squad. Tom Johnstone, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele and Jake Trueman are all needing time to recover from injuries and are booked in for operations at the end of the year.

“It's a real shame that the Wakefield boys aren't available. There's nothing we or they can do.”

Other injury absences

Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith, a scorer in Sunday's NRL Grand Final, is injured. Wigan centre Jake Wardle, Leeds winger Ash Handley and prop Mikolaj Oledzki are also unavailable through injury.

Warrington and Wigan well represented

Grand Finalists Warrington have three players in the squad: Matty Ashton, Ben Currie and captain George Williams. Wigan have seven players including Man of Steel winner Brad O'Neill and uncapped centre Zach Eckersley.

Lewis offers pace and spark

Analysis suggests McDermott picked Lewis based on pace, as the Hull KR half is much more of a runner than Connor. Lewis is also more of an off-the-bench spark given Williams and Smith's blend of run threat and game management.

Australia name Walsh despite struggles

Reece Walsh has secured a place in Australia's men's World Cup squad named on Monday. Walsh has struggled to hit the heights of last season but will vie for the full-back spot with James Tedesco after Dylan Edwards was ruled out with a knee injury.

Cleary out with broken ankle

Star half-back Nathan Cleary is out of the tournament with a broken ankle. Loose forward Isaah Yeo will delay surgery on a torn pectoral muscle to captain Australia at the World Cup.

Brigginshaw misses fourth medal chance

Ali Brigginshaw has been omitted from Australia's women's squad, missing the chance to go for a fourth World Cup winners' medal. Head coach Jess Skinner said the 36-year-old Brisbane half-back was upset to be left out.

“That was one of the hardest phone calls I've had to make as a coach to a player and to talk about her and where she was.”