Jake Connor named in 38-man England performance squad as 10 uncapped players called up

Brian McDermott has named his 38-man performance squad ahead of the Rugby League World Cup with the new England head coach making some key calls.

The biggest is arguably the easiest in that he has called up Jake Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel who former head coach Shaun Wane refused to call up.

It’s no surprise to see Connor called up with McDermott previously expressing admiration of the player and confirming that the door would be open for the Leeds mam.

Another aspect of the squad that is not a surprise is how many heritage players are named with McDermott making it clear that he wants the best available players, no matter where they’re born so long as they have the will and desire to play international rugby league for England.

As such, several NRL stars with English heritage have been named including Canterbury’s Max King, Canberra’s Jayden Brailey, Sydney Roosters’ Billy Smith and Brisbane Broncos’ Ben Talty.

That’s in addition to both Victor Radley and AJ Brimson who have previously been capped whilst there is  Super League-based heritage player Caleb Hamlin-Uele, with the forward being one of four Wakefield players alongside Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone, and the uncapped Jake Trueman.

Wigan Warriors have a total of eight players involved, the most of any side, whilst Super League joint-leaders Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos are joined by St Helens and Wakefield in having four.

Reigning champions Hull KR have just three with Dean Hadley called up alongside spine pair Jez Litten and Mikey Lewis.

Sir Kevin Sinfield, play-off race heats up and who can stop Wigan Warriors? – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show.

England 38-man performance squad ahead of the Rugby League World Cup

England 38-man performance programme group: Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Zach Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Ash Handley, Jake Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Ben Currie, Danny Walker, George Williams, Matty Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis (all Hull KR), Morgan Smithies, Jayden Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Victor Radley, Billy Smith (both Sydney Roosters), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Welsby, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Harry Robertson (all St Helens), Morgan Knowles, Herbie Farnworth (both Dolphins), Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jake Trueman, Tom Johnstone (all Wakefield), Matt King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)