England international Mikey Lewis has claimed that 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor should ‘100%’ featured in last year’s Ashes series.
Connor’s snub from the squad by then England coach Shaun Wane, as well as his derision of the Man of Steel competition, was a major point of contention heading into the Ashes and it was put further under the microscope after England were beaten 3-0.
A major flaw of the Ashes series was England’s spine with three changes made from Test one to two, and a further change then made ahead of the third and final Test at Headingley.
Wane has since stepped down from the role of England head coach and one of his Ashes squad players, Mikey Lewis, has argued that Wane was wrong not to select Connor.
“100%, if you’re going off form of that year and obviously you’ve got to go off form,” Lewis responded when asked on Sky Sports’ The Bench Podcast if Connor should have been selected.
“I’m 100% saying yeah because of the year he had and I feel like you’ve got to pick players on form, especially going into an Ashes series that is so important.”
Ashes ‘could be a different scenario’ if Jake Connor plays – Mikey Lewis
Lewis started the first Test alongside George Williams, was omitted from the second Test, and then had to be moved to full-back early on in the third Test as AJ Brimson suffered an injury, however, captain Williams featured in all three games.
For many on the outside, Williams’ lack of Super League form was questioned and whilst Lewis made no mention of any players, he explained that some players were lacking form heading into the Ashes.
He explained: “Some players weren’t in form and I’m probably glad that I wasn’t the coach and getting that backlash. I feel as an international coach, you’ve got to go off form.”
Asked the impossible question of whether there would have been a different outcome if Jake Connor had played, Lewis explained: “Maybe yeah, because of his form and especially the spine that is so big in the game.
“Having that direction of the team and having the leader telling the middles what to do and where he wants us, plus with his kicking game to put them into positions where they don’t want to come out of. It could be a different scenario.
“I feel like you could truly say it would be a different situation.”
Mikey Lewis aims jibe at Hull FC over World Club Challenge
Lewis had rightfully earned his spot in the England side after helping lead Hull KR to a historic treble in 2025 and that Super League Grand Final win helped to book the Robins a spot in the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos, part of a whirlwind start to the year for Rovers who face the NRL champs then head out to Vegas to face Leeds Rhinos.
Talking about the World Club Challenge, Lewis said: “It’s massive, Brisbane are coming over to play in the World Club Challenge which is a game that you wouldn’t think this club would play until recent years.
“But we’re building something and then winning last year and getting it confirmed that we’re playing Brisbane means it’s going to be a fantastic occasion, other than playing at the KC (MKM Stadium).”
He doubled down on his dig at Hull FC, adding: “It’s a football ground really,” before noting how important the game, which sold out in less than 10 days, is for the city.
“Hull is such a big rugby town and having something like that I feel like will be electric. Super League against the NRL and hopefully keeping the trophy in England will be a massive achievement for us, then we go to Vegas.”
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