Leeds Rhinos star makes England case for ‘really unlucky’ Jake Connor

Leeds Rhinos winger Ryan Hall has previewed Sunday’s game versus Hull KR and spoken on the recent England squad, arguing that playmaker Jake Connor is “really unlucky” not to be named.

Connor was one of the biggest omissions in the extended 32-man squad that was named on Monday with the Leeds Rhinos playmaker missing out despite starring in Super League this year.

His move to Leeds has seen his form of old rediscovered and Connor sits clear atop the Man of Steel standings, yet has no place in the England set-up seemingly.

Ahead of Leeds’ trip to Craven Park on Sunday afternoon, former Robin Ryan Hall has named one Hull KR player who he thinks is close to a call-up whilst also giving his verdict on Connor’s snub.

Asked on the club’s YouTube about Connor’s omission, Hall was diplomatic as he explained: “It’s coaches preference and how they want their team to be at the end of the year so Shaun Wane has obviously left him out but if I was picking the team then I’d him in because I know what value he brings.”

Ryan Hall backs Jake Connor and Hull KR utility for England

He even pointed to past experiences in an England shirt alongside Connor as a reason for why the current Man of Steel leader could have been named.

Hall said: “When he’s played in an England shirt before, I’ve played alongside him, and he’s played very well and he’s done whatever a coach has asked him to do.

“I think he is unlucky, really unlucky because he’s out in front in the Man of Steel points and features heavily for us when we win or play well. He’s a big part of that, he’s a key player for our team.

“It’s a bit of a shame he’s not in there but I’m not here to say he should or shouldn’t be in the team because it’s down to the coaches.”

Another player who missed out but would surely have been in the reckoning was Jack Broadbent, a former Leeds Rhinos player, and Hall spoke on how the 24-year-old could force a spot in future squads.

The veteran winger said: “We talk about the England squad that’s just been announced and a load of people are saying it’s an injustice that he (Jack Broadbent) is not in it. He’s a bit of a utility player so he probably just needs to nail a position.”

Leeds Rhinos ‘looking forward’ to Hull KR test

Leeds travel to Craven Park on Sunday having reclaimed third spot in Super League with their 48-30 win over Leigh, a game that he admits left the players feeling somewhat deflated.

He said: “All the fans were buzzing and said what a great game it was but all the players felt a bit empty about it because the one thing we like to pride ourselves on is how good we defend. It just took the edge of it but you’ve got to give credit to Leigh.”

As for the return to Craven Park, he explained: “You always want to play the best and currently they are. They’re eight points clear of us and four in front of second place so they’re showing how good they are. I could sense that when I was there (in terms of them) building up into what they are no.

“I go there really looking forward to the game and excited about it. Some people might see it as a daunting task but we’re really looking forward to it.”

The teams met earlier in the year at Headingley, a game Rovers won 20-14 despite trailing late on and Hall has called for his side to ‘put that wrong right’.

“We’re also thinking a bit about the last time we played them,” he admitted, adding: “They had to score the points but we felt we late the game go and we want to put that wrong right.”