Shaun Wane has selected his England rugby league squad to take on Samoa in autumn internationals, with six players dropping out from last time.
The mid-season international against France saw somewhat of an experimental side.
As promised by Wane previously, it was a side that seemed to be looking towards to the future, ahead of World Cup and Ashes action on the horizon.
For that game, six players were selected for the very first time, but only one – Elliot Minchella – has been named in the latest squad, due to a mixture of injury problems and changing selection criteria.
NRL players are available for the upcoming games, meaning Victor Radley, Dom Young, Herbie Farnworth, Kai Pearce-Paul and Tom Burgess could be selected this time out.
It’s also a whole performance squad of 31 players, as opposed to a 19-man matchday squad, so extra spaces were up for grabs.
Here’s a round-up of everyone who has dropped out this time.
The 6 changes made by Shaun Wane as he names England Rugby League squad
George Delaney
Credit: John Clifton/SWpix.com
One of the most exciting young players in Super League, the 20-year-old has previously represented the England Knights side.
He made his debut against Castleford at just 18 and has since become an important member of the Saints side, after a breakthrough season in 2023
He’s already got a Super League semi-final appearance to his name, although it was a narrow defeat to Catalans Dragons, and has been a starting prop in many of Saints’ recent games.
Delaney will surely be an England prop in many years to come – but this time, he hasn’t been chosen by Shaun Wane.
James McDonnell
Credit: Imago Images
Another forward, McDonnell is 24 years-old and started his Super League career the hard way, starting at centre against St Helens for Wigan in a 42-0 defeat.
He has represented the England Knights as well as Ireland at the 2021 World Cup (played in 2022).
Currently at Leeds Rhinos, his inclusion last time out came as a surprise to many, largely as he was in ahead of Junior Nsemba.
It was even a surprise to McDonnell himself, who said to BBC West Yorkshire: “It was a big surprise, but a welcome one!”
This time round, Nsemba makes it into the squad, while McDonnell doesn’t.
Ash Handley
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Out for the rest of the season due to injury, the 28-year-old scored a hat-trick of tries against France in 2023 and added another two this year against the same opposition.
Five tries in two career England games is an impressive return, but he won’t be able to build on that this time.
He has spent his whole career with Leeds Rhinos, winning both the Super League and the Challenge Cup twice, scoring 115 tries in 194 games along the way.
He’ll surely be back in an England rugby league shirt before long.
Brad O’Neill
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Selection for England was just another spectacular moment in the short career of the young Wigan Warriors hooker.
At just 21, he’s already won everything there is to win, with two Challenge Cup victories, a League Leaders’ shield, a Grand Final win and the World Cup Challenge crown.
He got the nod ahead of Daryl Clark and Danny Walker, two of the best hookers in the league, alongside Jez Litten.
However, an ACL injury means he has been unable to continue that momentum.
Clark and Walker both have an opportunity in the England rugby league set-up this time around.
Oliver Wilson
Credit: Imago Images
Yet another forward, Wilson is a prop for Huddersfield Giants, and is 24 years-old.
He started his career when Bradford Bulls were in the Championship, and helped them to a successful promotion campaign in his debut season.
Wilson had only been part of the starting XIII five times in 2024 ahead of the France game, making his inclusion one of the more puzzling ones.
However, that may turn out to be his only appearance in an England squad.
Sam Wood
Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Prior to injury, he played in every game for the Tigers this year and became one of their most impressive performers week after week.
Notably, he scored against his former club, assisted by another that was let go by the Robins in the off-season, Rowan Milnes.
Wood was playing centre this year, but has previously played on the wing, in the halves and even at loose-forward and second-row.
However, in the game against France, he suffered a season-ending injury – an immense frustration for himself and head coach Craig Lingard, who has since had to come up with make-shift centre partnerships ever since.
The centre was very unfortunate to be injured while in the form of his career, and will hope he can get back to that level once he’s back.
