Brian McDermott has named his first England side for their Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga, with AJ Brimson given the nod at full-back and Mikey Lewis missing out altogether.
Hull KR’s Lewis, 25, was selected ahead of Leeds’ Jake Connor in McDermott’s 23-player squad for the tournament Down Under.
However, the maverick half-back has been named in the extended reserves for the opening match against Tonga, this Saturday (10:05am) in Perth, alongside Warrington’s Ben Currie and Brisbane Broncos forward Ben Talty.
Gold Coast Titans star Brimson has been selected ahead of St Helens’ Jack Welsby, who has been named on an extended interchange bench.
The tournament will follow NRL rules, with a six-person interchange bench to be named by each international team, and only four allowed to enter the field of play. Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters and Matty Ashton have also been included.
Wigan’s Zach Eckersley is set to make his England debut on the wing following an impressive Super League campaign, named alongside Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth.
Hugo Savala and Max King will also mark their England debuts at centre and in the front-row respectively, with Super League Man of Steel Brad O’Neill to start at hooker.
Captain George Williams will partner Harry Smith in the halves, while Victor Radley returns to England’s team after missing last year’s Ashes series.
Morgan Smithies misses out on the named 22-player squad.
England team to face Tonga
AJ Brimson
Dom Young
Hugo Savala
Herbie Farnworth
Zach Eckersley
George Williams
Harry Smith
Max King
Brad O’Neill
Morgan Knowles
Junior Nsemba
Kai Pearce-Paul
Victor Radley
Interchange bench
Jez Litten
Luke Thompson
Ethan Havard
Sam Walters
Jack Welsby
Matty Ashton
Reserves
Ben Currie
Mikey Lewis
Ben Talty