Shaun Wane has named four Hull KR players in his 32-man England performance squad. After a strong run of form this year, James Batchelor is included for the first time, while Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, and Elliot Minchella are all included.
The squad, featuring Super League players only, will meet on Tuesday for a training session as preparations continue for this autumn’s Ashes Series against Australia.
Batchelor is one of six uncapped players in the squad. Elsewhere, Leeds Rhinos forward duo James McDonnell and Morgan Gannon are included, as are St Helens duo Harry Robertson and George Delaney and Leigh prop Owen Trout. McDonnell has switched allegiance to England after representing Ireland in the 2022 World Cup.
Elsewhere, injured trio Matty Ashton, Danny Walker, and Jack Welsby are included even though all three are currently sidelined with long-term injuries. England captain George Williams is named alongside regulars Harry Smith, Daryl Clark, Luke Thompson, et al.
Speaking on his squad, Wane said: “It’s been hard finding chances for the players to get together in such a busy Super League season, so it will be good for them to spend some time together thinking about the challenges ahead.
“We’ve built a tight England spirit over the three years since the World Cup campaign, with successful home series against Tonga and Samoa, and staying in touch with all the players as I do, I know there’s a hunger and desperation to be involved against Australia at the end of this year.
“Bringing in some new faces who haven’t played for me before will show the competition for places that we have, especially when you add in the players we have available in the NRL – and I’ve always said it’s up to the players to show me what they can do with their performances on a weekly basis.”
Betfred Super League England Men Squad:
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), James Batchelor (Hull KR), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors), Harry Robertson (St Helens), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves).