There are no Leeds Rhinos or Wakefield Trinity players in England’s 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup which begins in 10 days’ time.

Rhinos scrum-half Jake Connor is the shock omission from former Leeds boss Brian McDermott’s touring group. He was in a 38-strong performance squad named in June, along with clubmates Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki and Ash Handley.

Handley suffered a season-ending back injury last month and Oledzki has been carrying a shoulder problem. Trinity’s Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jake Trueman and Tom Johnstone, who all played in last Saturday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final win against Warrington Wolves, were in contention, but miss out because of injury or looming post-season operations.

Versatile back Hugo Savala has been selected after an impressive season with NRL Grand Final winners Sydney Roosters and team-mate Victor Radley returns to the England fold after lifting that trophy with him yesterday (Sunday). Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King, who was born in Huddersfield, and Brisbane Broncos’ front-row Ben Talty are the other new names from the NRL.

Jake Connor, seen scoring for Leeds Rhinos in their Super League semi-final loss to Warrington Wolves, has been left out of the England World Cup squad. Picture by Steve Riding.

placeholder image — Jake Connor, seen scoring for Leeds Rhinos in their Super League semi-final loss to Warrington Wolves, has been left out of the England World Cup squad. Picture by Steve Riding.

McDermott said: “We have selected the squad after a thorough and deliberate process, underpinned by a unique decentralised preparation model that has allowed us to work closely with the players well before they come together in camp. Throughout that process, we have challenged players to develop a deeper understanding of themselves – their strengths, their point of difference, the areas they need to improve and the standards required to perform at international level.

“Importantly, we have also developed a much deeper understanding of the expectations around each player’s specific role within the England game model. The aim has been that when the players arrive in camp they are not starting from day one trying to understand what is expected of them.

“They already understand their role, the standards attached to it and how their individual strengths can contribute to the way England wants to play. We have been tremendously impressed by the sacrifices made by the wider squad, their willingness to be open-minded about a new way of preparing for international rugby league and the level of alignment they have shown towards our collective vision.

“The commitment of the wider squad to this process has given us the opportunity to understand not only who the player is, but who the person is.”

McDermott added: “The 38-man squad initially picked had talent and ambition running all the way through it. Twenty-three is a lean number to take to a World Cup, and the final decisions were incredibly difficult.”

England kick-off their campaign against Tonga on Saturday, October17 before facing France seven days later, both in Perth. McDermott’s men then travel to Wollongong to face Papua New Guinea on Friday, October 30.

England men’s World Cup squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan), Brad O’Neill (Wigan), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Hugo Savala (Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Luke Thompson (Wigan), Sam Walters (Wigan), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).