‘Doesn’t like the bloke’ – Jon Wilkin rules on Jake Connor snub as Shaun Wane revelation made

Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin has had his say on the omission of Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor from the recent England squad, claiming that Shaun Wane ‘doesn’t like his character’ and confirming that his ‘international career is all but done’.

The fact that Jake Connor was not included in the extended 32-man England squad named on Monday was a key talking point with the Man of Steel leader’s omission a noteworthy point, alongside some Hull KR snubs.

Wane has since explained he needs to see Connor be more consistent as he noted his poor performance versus St Helens, however, Jon Wilkin has suggested there is more to it than that with a character clash at the heart of the snub for ‘Jake the Snake’.

“Without a doubt, the omissions speak more to me. Jake Connor’s absence suggests that his international career is all but done,” he ruled when speaking on Sky Sports.

“He just doesn’t like him. He doesn’t like his character, he doesn’t like the bloke so he’s not going to pick him.”

Jake Connor debate rages as Tomkins reveals Wane’s thoughts

Wilkin also argued that given the fact Mikey Lewis, George Williams and Harry Smith would all likely be ahead of Connor in the half-back ranks anyway, Connor’s snub doesn’t matter. However, he did note how easy it would have been to select him to what is largely a ceremonial squad.

The pundit asked: “Will he play for England at the end of the year? With the players we’ve got in his position, he won’t.

“I think it would have been the easiest thing in the world to name him.”

Another thing he noted was the lack of Hull KR players, stating: “Dean Hadley, Joe Burgess, Tom Davies, those omissions for me speak volumes of Shaun Wane’s selection.”

One man who has some insight into selection is Sam Tomkins with the former England captain now involved in the set-up and whilst he doesn’t have selection power, he did confirm that Shaun Wane didn’t even want to name a squad.

Tomkins revealed: “I’m privy to the conversations but what I would say is that this squad wasn’t asked for by Shaun Wane. He’s thinking about a competition in four months time.

“Shaun got told he had to announce a squad, he didn’t want to announce one. He doesn’t think it’s relevant. The Ashes will be played in October and November so Shaun wants to see the best players playing well come the end of the season. Maybe that’s why we do have so many omissions, he wants to see the best players in the toughest games.”

Talking about snubs and in particular that of Dean Hadley, who Wane has said potentially wouldn’t ‘hack it’ which elicited a strong defence from Willie Peters, Tomkins said nothing is final.

The Catalans man said: “I don’t think the door is shut for anyone. If Dean Hadley is the best second-rower for the rest of this year and is playing standout play-0ff rugby then he’ll be playing for England, I believe.

“I genuinely think Shaun thinks it is irrelevant to put a squad out in July when we’re trying to win games in October and November.”

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 #EnglandRL Men Head Coach Shaun Wane has invited 32 players from the @Betfred #SuperLeague to a session which is taking place tomorrow pic.twitter.com/i4jdf98dv4

— England Rugby League (@England_RL) June 30, 2025