Five Super League players unlucky to miss out on Brian McDermott’s England Rugby League World Cup performance squad

England boss Brian McDermott has revealed an initial 38-man performance squad in preparation for this year’s Rugby League World Cup.

McDermott, who was revealed to be Shaun Wane’s successor in April, will be unable to have a mid-season or warm-up fixture ahead of the first game of the tournament due to scheduling, making squad selection that much harder.

England take on Tonga in the opening group game, and given the way the format for the World Cup works, that game could well be the decider for who makes the semi-finals, and who goes hope in the group stage.

Ahead of the tournament, McDermott will be combining his role as assistant coach of the Gold Coast Titans with scouting and speaking to players he will be considering for his squad.

The former Leeds Rhinos and Toronto boss is expected to select a 24-man squad for the competition, with that announcement to be made shortly after the Grand Final.

As of now, there are 38 players in his reckoning, and we have picked out five players who can call themselves unlucky to miss out in the initial performance group.

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Five unlucky omissions from England’s first performance squad ahead of Rugby League World Cup

Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves):

Perhaps the most surprising omission given his form to start the year, Thewlis has shown he can compete well at both full-back and on the wing.

Making a number of excellent try-saving tackles in recent weeks, his efforts in defence have gone a long way to help Warrington keep their points conceded to a minimum.

With the ball, the 24-year-old has eight tries and seven assists this season, and has kicked goals in the past, should he need to.

James Batchelor (Hull KR):

The Hull KR back rower has been one of the stand-out Englishmen in his position in recent seasons, and whilst the likes of Kai Pearce-Paul and Junior Nsemba are expected to take the starting spots, there is certainly an argument to say he should be in the extended squad.

Rovers back row teammate Dean Hadley is included, so perhaps it was a case of one or the other, but Batchelor can feel hard done to that he hasn’t been given a spot in the extended performance squad.

Oliver Partington (Wigan Warriors):

Wigan have eight players in the performance squad, but the next two picks both hail from the Cherry and Whites.

Partington has been in fine form since returning to the club, and his performances have gone up another level after being handed the starting loose forward spot. Him and Brad O’Neill combine to make one aggressive middle pairing that really sets the tone for Wigan in matches, and it’s a large part of why they’ve been so successful in recent weeks.

Jack Farrimond (Wigan Warriors):

Perhaps it is too early in his career for an England debut, but surely if you’re good enough, you’re old enough and Farrimond has shown that he can compete at the highest level, winning the Lance Todd Trophy in the Challenge Cup Final.

Whilst he would highly likely miss out on actual World Cup selection, having the likes of Farrimond and Ewan Irwin in and around these environments can only be a help to their development. The more they mingle with the country’s top players, the more they can learn from the best.

Joe Burgess (Hull KR):

Burgess is one of five players to be named in last year’s Ashes squad to not make this year’s performance group. However, with 16 tries in 16 games for the Robins this year, his performances don’t really suggest an omission. But, the 38-man squad isn’t the final World Cup squad, so a strong second half of the year could see McDermott change his mind about his wing selection.