Overview
- Brian McDermott announced the 38-man performance squad on Tuesday as his first formal selection since becoming England head coach in April.
- Reigning Man of Steel Jake Connor is recalled after a seven-year absence, giving McDermott an experienced playmaker to assess in the run-up to the World Cup.
- The list includes ten uncapped players such as Jake Trueman, Dean Hadley and Zach Eckersley to test fresh options across Super League clubs.
- McDermott has recruited several Australian-based NRL players who qualify through heritage, including Max King, Jayden Brailey, Billy Smith and Ben Talty, to broaden England’s talent pool.
- The 38 players will join a performance programme over the summer and autumn and the group will be reduced to about 24 ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Tonga in Perth on October 17.