Brian McDermot has repeatedly stressed that England must possess a distinct "point of difference" to succeed at the Rugby League World Cup, yet his decision to exclude Jake Connor from the squad has sparked considerable debate. Connor was notably omitted from the England side that suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the Ashes series last autumn under former head coach Shaun Wane, and despite a stellar campaign for the Leeds Rhinos that earned him a place in the Dream Team, McDermot again left him out of the World Cup roster. Instead, the coach has chosen George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis as his preferred half‑backs, while also noting that Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala could fill a half‑back role if required. According to McDermot, the problem in the heavy Ashes defeat was not the individual players but the tactical approach that had been tried repeatedly without success.
"It isn’t simply a matter of swapping personnel," McDermot explained. "Throughout the tournament we will select the group we believe can execute the plan each week, but last year England failed to employ a genuine point of difference. They stuck to familiar patterns – trying to land the ball on a particular patch of grass and then shifting it wide to outflank Australia." He went on to say that while England has not always adhered to a single style, the team must embrace a distinctive strategy, even though it carries inherent risk.
"You need courage. A style that forces the opposition’s defence to answer more questions when you have the ball is far more effective than simply loading up for a single set play," he argued. McDermot believes Mikey Lewis aligns better with the "game model" he envisions than Connor, though he acknowledges Connor’s impressive form.
"Jake has had an outstanding season," McDermot added. "He earned the Man of Steel award last year and continues to perform at a high level with a top‑tier side this season." The coach emphasized that his selections are guided not only by current form but also by experience in high‑pressure matches. Lewis, for instance, featured prominently in Leeds’ Challenge Cup triumph and the World Club Challenge, demonstrating an ability to deliver when the stakes are highest.
"I have assembled a squad that fits the attack plan and the game model we identified weeks ago – the very approach we need to compete with the world’s best," McDermot said. He also highlighted the importance of composure under pressure, noting that international tournaments offer no second chances. "In the World Cup you must perform on the day; you cannot review a loss and get another shot the following week," he warned. Consequently, he has favored players with a proven record of performing in finals and delivering in crucial moments.
"Mikey Lewis helped his team win a World Cup Challenge earlier this year and guided them to a Challenge Cup final." While Lewis did experience a dip in form toward the end of the season and served a couple of bans, McDermot reiterated that the overarching attack plan and game model remain paramount. He also pointed out a specific attribute of Lewis that influenced his decision: the player’s instinct to run when uncertain. "When Mikey is in doubt, he runs. He brings energy and attitude, and that can be contagious for the whole side," McDermot observed.
The coach stressed that modern international rugby league is fought over the gain line, and players who can consistently make meters with the ball are invaluable. Referring to the recent Grand Final in Australia, he noted that most tries came from tight, gain‑line play rather than wide, sweeping moves. "When everyone else is fatigued, you need players who will take the ball into contact themselves, and Mikey does that exceptionally well," McDermot said. An additional point of interest is the absence of any Wakefield Trinity players from the England squad, despite the club’s Grand Final victory.
Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and Tom Johnstone were all named in the extended squad but withdrew due to injuries just before the announcement. "It’s a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t available.
There was nothing we could do," McDermot lamented. He explained that all four had scheduled surgeries later in the year, making their participation unlikely. "Jake Trueman has had a fantastic season, and Mike McMeeken has been enormous in the finals, as have Caleb and Tom. They were all in the mix, but given their upcoming operations and the risk of unavailability, we received notice and had to adjust our selections," McDermot concluded.
In summary, McDermot’s selection policy revolves around a clear tactical vision, a willingness to embrace risk, and a preference for players with proven big‑game experience and the instinct to drive forward. By prioritising a distinct point of difference and rewarding those who can execute it under pressure, he hopes England will break the pattern of reliance on conventional tactics and emerge as a genuine contender on the world stage.