Brian McDermott’s first England squad has brought both continuity and a clear signal of selection openness, with the coach naming an expanded 38-man performance group ahead of this year’s World Cup. The headline inclusion is Jake Connor, whose recall comes after a standout season that earned him the Man of Steel title.
For England supporters, the most notable detail is not just who is in the squad, but how broad the pool is. McDermott has selected 10 uncapped players, suggesting he is using the build-up to the tournament to test depth as well as reward form. In a World Cup year, that usually points to a squad still taking shape rather than one already fixed around a settled first-choice XIII.
Connor’s return adds proven quality
Connor’s recall is significant because it gives England a player with creativity and experience at a time when international squads often need a balance between structure and unpredictability. His Man of Steel recognition underlines that his form has been impossible to ignore, and his return will be read by many as a vote of confidence in domestic performance translating into the international arena.
The wider squad list also reflects the strength of the English player base across Super League and beyond. Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Hull KR and St Helens are all represented heavily, while overseas-based players from clubs including the Canberra Raiders, Sydney Roosters, Gold Coast Titans, Dolphins, Canterbury Bulldogs, Brisbane Broncos and Newcastle Knights also feature.
What the expanded squad means
An enlarged performance squad can serve several purposes. It allows coaches to manage workloads, cover injuries and assess combinations before the final tournament group is selected. It also creates competition for places, which can sharpen standards in training and in the club game as players know England opportunities are on the line.
For supporters, the message is encouraging: McDermott is not simply picking on reputation. The inclusion of uncapped players alongside established names such as Welsby, Walmsley, Farnworth and Radley suggests a selection process that is both forward-looking and performance-driven. That approach can be unsettling for players hoping for certainty, but it is often the right one when a World Cup is approaching and form can change quickly.
The next stage will be whether this broad group narrows into a tournament-ready squad that can blend experience, power and pace. For now, Connor’s return is the clearest headline, but the bigger story is that England’s World Cup plans are being built with competition, flexibility and recent form at the centre.
Source note: This article was prepared using publicly available information from BBC Sport and expanded with editorial context.
Share this content:
