Six surprise candidates for Shaun Wane’s England squad for this year’s World Cup squad

Shaun Wane has a wonderful wealth of talent to pick from when it comes to selecting his World Cup squad at the end of the year.

Players both in the NRL and Super League are shining making it a difficult task for Wane to whittle down his options and what makes this even harder is the number of English players who have reached a new level in 2022. Players who previously haven’t been consider for call ups are now pushing those guaranteed names.

So, with that in mind, today we’re looking at six players who could be surprise selections for this year’s World Cup.

Chris Hill
Many are beginning to call for Chris Hill’s international recall this autumn especially his coach Ian Watson. His move to Huddersfield this year has reinvigorated him and he’s been one of the league’s best props in a Giants side who are in the upper echelons of the league where metre-making is concerned. A terrific leader, he deserves a call-up at present and is one of a number of Giants players who could be surprise selections this year. Watson identified Joe Greenwood as another player he felt should be considered whilst players like Matty English and Josh Jones would also be good shouts.

Joe Batchelor
Joe Batchelor has developed into one of the league’s best backrowers over the last two years. A Grand Final winner, few backrowers have as well-rounded a game as the the West Yorkshire born second-row. Capable of playing 80 minutes and doing an awful lot of work on either side of the field, he’s the ideal player for Shaun Wane to include in his squad.

Elliot Minchella
Super League is blessed with two very good 13s at the moment in the shape of Morgan Knowles and Joe Westerman. However, Elliot Minchella can’t be far behind that particular duo. A grafter, Minchella would help the midfield battle but also has a skillset that can test any defence. Capable of playing off-the-cuff, he may offer that something different an England squad always needs.

Greg Eden
Few things in rugby league are as important as getting over the whitewash and that’s something Greg Eden has always been brilliant at. His scoring exploits forced him back into Castleford’s strongest team this year and his form is deserving of international recognition should he get over his injuries.

Michael McIlorum
Michael McIlorum has played for both Ireland and England so will be guaranteed a place in the World Cup. However, Shaun Wane should be seriously contemplating asking the Dragons hooker to switch allegiances back to England this autumn. He’s been key for Catalans this season and his Man of Steel points prove exactly that. A battler and an organiser, he has everything you’d want from an international nine up against the Aussies.

Morgan Gannon
Just 18 years old, this would be a major call but in a struggling Leeds side Morgan Gannon has somehow managed to exceed the high levels he was already reaching when he debuted last year. Capable of playing 80 minutes, producing massive tackles and bursting runs forward, Gannon has also added a try scoring element to his game and has proved adept at playing on either the left or the right for Leeds in 2022. These are all attributes needed at international level and including him would be a major boost to his development helping the England side of the future.