The international calendar might not be too clear for this year with no fixtures confirmed yet for England but there are still plenty of Super League players staking a claim to be in Shaun Wane’s plans.
It has been confirmed that there will be a mid-season international against France and whilst there initially was doubt over any end-of-season games after Samoa pulled out of a proposed series, there is hope that the series can be saved.
Last year’s mid-season international saw Ash Handley make a case for himself as he scored a hattrick against France and his early season Super League form suggests he’ll certainly be in Shaun Wane’s mind.
Mikey Lewis was then handed a debut in the end-of-season series against Tonga with the Hull KR man seizing the opportunity and putting on a show across the three matches, but which players could potentially break out and earn a debut this year?
Here are the five uncapped players who could force their way into Shaun Wane’s plans if they continue their impressive Super League form.
Rising Super League side in line to have two England debutants
There’s an array of talent in the England set-up but very few positions barring potentially half-back and full-back are nailed in, captain George Williams and his replacement Jack Welsby being the two men deemed as surefire starters.
The forward pack particularly is in a period of transition with Elliot Whitehead calling time on his international career and both Tom Burgess and Chris Hill playing into their twilight years.
As such three of the five potential debutants are forwards and there could even be an honourable mention for youngsters such as Junior Nsemba and George Delaney, who at 19 and 20 will certainly be involved for years to come.
James Batchelor (Hull KR)
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There has already been one Batchelor brother in the England set-up with James’ older brother Joe earning a cap in 2022, but Hull KR’s second-rower is certainly playing his way into contention.
The Robins forward will be 26 when any prospective internationals are played this year and he’s already accrued well over 100 Super League appearances and has stepped up a level since his move to Hull KR.
Within that one year he established himself as a fan favourite due to his versatility and he very much fits the mould of an Elliot Whitehead-type player, an industrious second-rower who knows how to get their name on the scoresheet.
Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors)
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Surprisingly, Liam Marshall has never made an appearance for England but the past two seasons and this current 2024 campaign make a very strong case that he should be getting a phone call from Shaun Wane soon.
Marshall turns 28 this season and it certainly appears he is entering the prime of his career with 50 tries in his last two seasons, with plenty already in 2024. He’s among the top try scorers in Super League already this season as well as bagging six in two in the Challenge Cup showing he is an elite finisher.
Moreover, he plays on the outside of Jake Wardle who could well be the first-choice centre for England meaning that it makes perfect sense for the teammates to forge a strong left side for their country.
Elliott Minchella (Hull KR)
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Another player from the side that is on the rise in Super League in Hull KR is club captain Elliott Minchella with the loose forward putting forward a case with every game that he plays.
Minchella is 28 now and whilst England are blessed at loose forward with Morgan Knowles, Morgan Smithies, Cam Smith and Victor Radley, two of those men play down under which could create a three-way race for the starting spot if a mid-season international gets over the line.
The Robins skipper should have every chance of winning that race as he has been the epitome of consistency at a high level for KR, cleaning up at the club’s end-of-season awards and rightly so. As a true ball-playing thirteen, he should certainly be considered.
Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves)
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The youngest man on this list is Josh Thewlis with the Warrington Wolves winger turning 22 during the 2024 campaign but he already has over 60 Super League games under his belt.
Thewlis was named Young Super League Player of the Year in 2023 and he has followed that up with a strong start in 2024, shining on the opposite wing to current England winger Matty Ashton.
With players such as Ryan Hall and Tommy Makinson potentially ageing out, perhaps Shaun Wane could look to the Warrington man as an injection of youth and pace on the wing.
Matt Whitley (St Helens)
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Perhaps Matt Whitley could consider himself unlucky to have never been called up previously with the second-rower being another of those under-the-radar players that consistently performs at a 7/10 level or higher.
The seamless transition into the St Helens forward pack is what makes his stock so high right now with it appearing that he’s clicked in perfectly and without much difficulty.
Of course, that’s the result you get when hard work meets talent and Whitley brings both in abundance and the reward for the 28-year-old could well be an England cap at some point this year.
