Connor out, Lewis in as England name World Cup squad

Jake Connor missed out on an England squad place for last year's Ashes, for which Mikey Lewis was selected

Jake Connor missed out on a Rugby League World Cup spot by a "small margin" as England seek the players who can best stick to their game plan, head coach Brian McDermott says.

Leeds Rhinos half-back Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel, was left out of the 23-man squad for the tournament - to be held largely in Australia - with Hull KR's Mikey Lewis making the cut instead.

For Connor, it is another England disappointment to follow his controversial omission from the squad for last autumn's home series against Australia.

"Jake Connor missed out on selection by a small margin and it came down to who I think can best stick to the game plan and attack plan," McDermott said.

The 31-year-old had been expected to make the squad after being talked up by McDermott and enjoying a strong domestic season.

But Hull KR's Lewis, who endured an inconsistent year, has done enough to convince McDermott that he should join captain George Williams, the Warrington stand-off, and Wigan's Harry Smith as half-back options.

England begin their World Cup campaign against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, before facing France in the same city on 24 October and then Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October.

England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Brad O'Neill (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

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There has been much debate about which half-backs would make the England squad after McDermott said last month that he would probably take three to the World Cup, and that captain Williams - who is heading to Australia to join NRL club Dolphins after the tournament - would be one of them.

McDermott said: "Jake has had a really good year. He had an outstanding year last year and got Man of Steel.

"What I've got is a squad full of players who I believe will best play to the game style, the attack plan or game model we identified many weeks ago, that I think we need to compete with the leading nations.

"We can't do the usual things, and I made this a point when I took the job. We've got to play with a point of difference.

"I've got a squad here who I believe are best suited to the attack plan and game model I think England need to play."

Explaining his decision to select Lewis, McDermott added: "I've picked a group of player that have recent history of playing in finals, winning finals, delivering when it matters.

"Mikey Lewis won a World Club Challenge at the start of this year and guided his team to a Challenge Cup final.

"I get he wasn't in the best of shape towards the back of the year and incurred a couple of bans but again, I'll just point people to the attack plan and game model I think England need to have to compete with the leading nations."

When he replaced Shaun Wane as head coach, McDermott indicated that he was keen to use heritage players - those who qualify for England through family background - to ensure the strongest possible squad.

He has called up two Australia-born players for the first time - versatile back Hugo Savala, part of Sydney Roosters' NRL Grand Final-winning squad - and Brisbane Broncos' front-rower Ben Talty. Bulldogs prop Max King, born in Huddersfield while his Australian father David was a player there, also earns a first call-up. Victor Radley and AJ Brimson complete the Australia-born contingent in the squad.

Grand Final winners Wakefield have no players in the squad, with Tom Johnstone - who won the Rob Burrow man-of-the-match award for his performance in the 23-10 victory over Warrington - needing time to recover from a series of injury problems. Forward Caleb Hamlin-Uele has also been omitted, with McDermott indicating he is also injured.

Finalists Warrington have three players in the squad - Matty Ashton and Ben Currie joining captain Williams - while Wigan have seven, including Man of Steel winner Brad O'Neill and uncapped centre Zach Eckersley.

Reece Walsh impressed during last autumn's Ashes but has had a testing club season with Brisbane Broncos

Reece Walsh has secured a place in Australia's men's World Cup squad, which was also named on Monday - although head coach Kevin Walters has refused to confirm whether he will be first-choice full-back.

Walsh has struggled to hit the heights of last season, when he inspired Brisbane Broncos to their first NRL Grand Final triumph in 19 years before helping Australia to a 3-0 Test series win over England.

He missed the end of this season to have ankle surgery, but with Penrith's Dylan Edwards ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury, Walsh will vie for the full-back spot with James Tedesco - man of the match as Sydney Roosters beat Newcastle Knights 19-18 in Sunday's NRL Grand Final.

Loose forward Isaah Yeo will delay surgery on a torn pectoral muscle to captain Australia.

Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase - who scored two tries in Sydney's win on Sunday - is not in the squad because of his impending code switch to union with Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights. Second-row forward Angus Crichton is absent for the same reason, as he is joining NSW Waratahs.

Star half-back Nathan Cleary is out of the tournament with a broken and dislocated ankle.

Australia men's squad: Isaah Yeo (captain), Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blake Brailey, Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh.

Ali Brigginshaw was in the Brisbane side beaten by Sydney Roosters in Sunday's NRLW Grand Final

Ali Brigginshaw has missed out on the chance to go for a fourth World Cup winners' medal after being omitted from Australia's women's squad.

Head coach Jess Skinner said the 36-year-old Brisbane half-back - Australia's captain when they won the tournament in Manchester four years ago - was "upset" to be left out.

"That was one of the hardest phone calls I've had to make as a coach to a player and to talk about her and where she was," Skinner said.

Australia women's squad: Isabelle Kelly (captain), Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Abbi Church, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Tiana Penitani Gray, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, and Makenzie Weale.

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