The England head coach, Shaun Wane, has said the decision to leave Super League’s Man of Steel, Jake Connor, out of his squad for the Ashes was “not really difficult”. He added that he does not understand the obsession surrounding the exile of the Leeds Rhinos half-back.
Connor is by far the most notable omission from the 24-man squad to take on Australia in the first Ashes series since 2003. It begins on 25 October at Wembley, with Tests at Everton and Headingley to follow on successive Saturdays. There are a number of surprise inclusions, including a returnfor Hull KR’s Joe Burgess after his two-try performance in the Super League Grand Final on Saturday. The winger has been out of the national side for a decade.
Connor was crowned last week as Man of Steel, an award that recognises the most consistent player in the domestic season. Wane, however, was unmoved by suggestions Connor should have been in his squad. When asked how tough that decision was, he said: “Not really difficult.
“He’s a very good player is Jake and I spoke to him in the week and he’ll be available for the World Cup next year. When picking a squad, the thing you will never hear from me is ‘he’s won the Man of Steel’.
“I don’t pay attention to stuff like that. I don’t know who’s in the [Super League] Dream Team for example. That never comes into my reckoning. I’ve watched all the players play and I know who can do a fantastic job against Australia.
“We had a good chat, he’s a really good lad and I’ve lots of time for him. But there’s other players, other than Jake Connor, not got in this 24 and I don’t see the obsession from every single person … the Man of Steel, it just doesn’t mean anything to me.”
There are first Test call-ups for the Leigh forward Owen Trout and the Gold Coast Titans’ AJ Brimson, who was born in Australia. The 27-year-old back qualifies through his English mother.
Quick GuideEngland Ashes squad
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John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Joe Burgess (Hull KR), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
He is one of six NRL-based players in the squad, with Herbie Farnworth and Kai Pearce-Paul retaining their places after the series victory against Samoa last year. The prospect of a first Ashes victory since 1970 represents a much sterner task, though Wane is adamant he has the group to achieve that.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL, but I am confident that the 24 selected will give us the best chance of winning this series,” he said.
