England have named a staggering 21 uncapped players in a 40-man train-on squad as Shaun Wane sets out to ensure the national side is ready for the World Cup in 2025.
After November’s defeat in the semi-final to Samoa, the England head coach had promised there would be wholesale changes, with young players introduced to maximise their chances of being ready to win in France.
He has included the talented Huddersfield half-back Will Pryce, who would follow in the footsteps of his father, Leon, in representing his country. Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis, another who is expected to be pivotal to England’s long-term success, also receives a first call-up along with exciting youngsters in the Leeds duo of Harry Newman and Morgan Gannon and Salford’s Tyler Dupree.
“I’ve selected a very young extended squad this time around and that is very much with the 2025 World Cup in France in mind,” Wane said. “There are still several experienced players within the squad who featured in last year’s World Cup, and others who could come back in. I am hoping the more experienced cohort help those younger players adapt and thrive in an international camp, which will be very demanding.
“As always, the squad will be fluid and players will be added if they are performing well – and vice versa should performances dip. I think the squad really shows the depth of talent across the Super League. The mid-season international against France is the first step on the road to the next World Cup.”
Jordan Abdull (Hull KR), Andy Ackers (Salford), Matty Ashton (Warrington), Daryl Clark (Warrington), Ben Currie (Warrington, Tom Davies (Catalans), Tyler Dupree (Salford), Lewis Dodd (St Helens), Liam Farrell (Wigan), Morgan Gannon (Leeds), Ash Handley (Leeds), James Harrison (Warrington), Ethan Havard (Wigan), Chris Hill (Huddersfield), Tom Holroyd (Leeds), Tom Johnstone (Catalans), Toby King (Wigan), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Jonny Lomax (St Helens), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Liam Marshall (Wigan), Mike McMeeken (Catalans), Harry Newman (Leeds), Matty Nicholson (Warrington), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan), Mark Percival (St Helens), Will Pryce (Huddersfield), Harry Smith (Wigan), Morgan Smithies (Wigan), Josh Thewlis (Warrington), Danny Walker (Warrington), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Wigan), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington), Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield).
England play their mid-season Test against France on 29 April in Warrington and a three-match series against Tonga on home soil this autumn. The squad will be whittled down to 20 for the France game and will not include any NRL-based players. They will be available for the Tonga series.
Sam Tomkins, England’s captain at the World Cup, is not included after he confirmed he would retire at the end of this season.
