Shaun Wane has hailed the Hull KR trio after their call-ups to the England squad for the Ashes.
England head coach Shaun Wane has thrown his support behind Joe Burgess after the Hull KR winger earned his first international recall in a decade.
Burgess won three caps in 2015 – making a try-scoring debut in a 84-4 rout over France before featuring twice against New Zealand.
And he recently ended his own Grand Final hoodoo with success on the fifth occasion – crossing the Old Trafford whitewash twice in Hull KR’s 24-6 triumph over Wigan Warriors to complete a momentous treble.
The winger’s form has seen him included in Wane’s 24-player England squad for the Ashes, competing with Newcastle Knights’ Dom Young and Wakefield’s Tom Johnstone for places on the wing.
“I spoke to him on Sunday morning and he wasn’t in great form,” smiled Wane, referencing Hull KR’s Grand Final celebrations.
“He was very pleased. I had a chat with him a few weeks ago about his form. He’s going well for Hull KR.
“I know what he can do. He did a great job for me at Wigan. He’s a great kid and will be a fantastic asset to this squad.”
Fellow Grand Final heroes and try-scorers Jez Litten and Mikey Lewis have also been included, while there was no room for 2025 Man of Steel Jake Connor.
Litten has one single England cap so far, playing in the dominant 64-0 win over France back in 2023. Rob Burrow Award winner Lewis meanwhile featured in back-to-back international series wins over Tonga and Samoa, and will compete with captain George Williams and Wigan’s Harry Smith in the halves ahead of the opening test at Wembley on October 25.
“Jez has been the best nine in the comp this year,” Wane continued. “What Willie [Peters] has done with that team and with Jez in particular, he’s just changed him around. He’s a great player.
“Mikey has always been in my squads. He can play in multiple positions and is a good kid.”
Having been named in the extended train-on squad back in June, Elliot Minchella and James Batchelor have missed out on call-ups.
“It was a really difficult job picking the squad,” Wane said. “I thought Elliot Minchella was good during the Grand Final and defended really well, but he’s not made the squad which is a credit to all the coaches in Super League because there’s so many players that could have made the 24.
“James Batchelor, they were all in the [train-on] squad and have been to the player meetings but at the end of the day, I can only pick 24 and I have to balance up players who can play in different positions.”
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