Jake Connor, the high‑profile back for the Leeds Rhinos, has not been included in the 23‑man England roster slated for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. The decision, announced by head coach Brian McDermerson, came as a surprise to many observers, given Connor’s impressive form over the past season.
The tournament will be staged across three nations—Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea—between October and November, and England will be looking to improve on its recent record of reaching the final but never clinching the title (1975, 1995 and 2017). Connor’s exclusion therefore raises questions about the criteria the coaching staff used when finalising the squad. Connor, who was crowned the Super League’s Man of Steel in 2022, finished the most recent campaign atop the league’s assist leaderboard, providing 43 try‑setting passes. Despite those statistics, he was again left out after being dropped from the England side for the 2023 Ashes series against Australia—a series that ended in a 3‑0 whitewash for the English side.
At the time, many pundits argued that his omission was more political than performance‑based, pointing to the fact that the 31‑year‑old had consistently delivered high‑impact play for Leeds. The controversy surrounding his non‑selection dates back to the previous autumn when former England coach Shaun Wane excluded Connor from the home Ashes squad. That decision sparked a heated debate among fans and analysts, with some accusing Wane of favouring certain playing styles over individual brilliance.
Wane eventually stepped down earlier this year, and Brian McDermerson—who previously coached Leeds—took over the national team’s reins with the World Cup as his first major assignment. McDermerson has been vocal in his defence of Connor. In an interview in April, he said, "The rhetoric and narrative surrounding Jake have been hugely unfair.
I understand that Jake is a polarising figure—some people love him, others don’t. That’s part of the sport. We could sit around a table debating his personality, but that’s not the point. What no‑one can dispute is his talent.
He’s a phenomenal player, a genuine game‑breaker." McDermerson’s comments highlight a broader issue in modern rugby league: the tension between on‑field performance and off‑field perception. While some critics have questioned Connor’s discipline or his interactions with teammates, the coaching staff appears to have weighed his on‑field contributions more heavily. Nonetheless, the final squad list, due to be released on Monday, will reveal whether McDermerson ultimately prioritises raw statistics or the intangible aspects of team cohesion. One name that is expected to make the cut in Connor’s stead is Hull KR’s fullback Mikey Lewis.
Lewis has impressed with his speed, defensive reliability and ability to create scoring opportunities, and many analysts believe he offers a more balanced package for the international stage. If selected, Lewis would join a backline that also includes seasoned veterans such as Sam Tomkins and emerging talents like James Farrar. England’s World Cup campaign kicks off on 17 October against Tonga in Perth.
The opening fixture will be a stern test, as Tonga has built a reputation for physical, high‑tempo play. England will then face France and Papua New Guinea in the group stage, matches that will require both creative spark and defensive solidity.
The omission of a play‑making forward like Connor could force the coaching staff to adapt their attacking structures, perhaps relying more on the halves to generate line breaks and less on the traditional half‑back‑forward link. Historically, England has struggled to convert strong group‑stage performances into tournament victories. The team reached the semi‑finals on home soil in 2021, only to be knocked out by Samoa in a tightly contested match. That loss underscored the need for depth and versatility across the squad—qualities that the selectors will be keen to preserve as they navigate the demanding schedule of the World Cup.
If Connor does indeed miss out, the decision may serve as a catalyst for him to further refine his game. Players who have faced similar setbacks often use the experience as motivation, working on aspects such as defensive positioning, kicking accuracy, or leadership on the field. Given his track record, it would not be surprising to see Connor return stronger for the next international window, perhaps targeting the 2027 World Cup as a redemption arc.
In the meantime, Leeds Rhinos will continue to rely heavily on Connor’s contributions in the Super League, where his vision and passing range remain among the league’s best. Fans of both club and country will be watching closely, hoping that his exclusion from the World Cup squad does not diminish his confidence or form. The final squad announcement will provide clarity on England’s strategic direction heading into the tournament. Whether the coaching staff’s gamble on players like Mikey Lewis pays off, or whether the absence of a proven playmaker such as Jake Connor proves costly, will only become evident once the matches begin.
England’s journey will officially commence on 17 October, and the world will be watching to see if the team can finally capture the elusive World Cup trophy.