Jake Connor, the high‑profile play‑maker from the Leeds Rhinos, has been excluded from the 23‑man England roster that will compete in the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. The decision, announced by head coach Brian McDermatt, has raised eyebrows across the sport because Connor has been one of the most productive players in the Super League this season, yet he will not travel to the tournament that will be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea during October and November. Connor’s omission is especially surprising given his recent accolades. He was named the 2023 Man of Steel, an award that recognises the player judged to have made the greatest impact over the course of the Super League season.
In addition, he topped the league’s assist charts with a remarkable 43 set‑ups, underlining his ability to create scoring opportunities for teammates. Despite these credentials, the 31‑year‑old will miss out on what could be his first World Cup appearance, mirroring a similar disappointment he faced last year when he was left out of England’s Ashes squad. The background to this decision stretches back to the autumn of 2023, when England hosted the Ashes series against Australia.
Shaun Wane, who was then England’s head coach, omitted Connor from his 23‑man squad for that series. England went on to lose all three tests, and the selection controversy lingered throughout the season. Wane stepped down early in 2024, and the England Rugby League board appointed former Leeds coach Brian McDermatt as the new national team manager.
McDermatt inherited the fallout from the previous selection and has now been forced to make his own choices for the World Cup. McDermatt has publicly defended Connor on several occasions.
In an interview in April, he said, "The rhetoric and the narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair. I understand where Jake Connor comes from in that he's liked by some and disliked by others. OK, that comes in the nature of the game. We could sit around a table and debate whether he's a nice person or not.
I just don't think that's a fair narrative to be made public and that was the rhetoric around him. What nobody can argue is that he's a tremendous player. He's a fantastic player.
He's a game‑breaker." Those comments illustrate the coach’s frustration with the media and fan discourse that has, in his view, focused more on personality than performance. The final squad will be revealed on Monday, and early indications suggest that Hull KR full‑back Mikey Lewis will be selected in place of Connor. Lewis, who has been in fine form for his club, offers a different skill set – primarily his speed and defensive reliability – which may suit McDermatt’s tactical plan for the tournament.
The decision also reflects a broader trend in international rugby league, where coaches often balance raw talent with team cohesion, defensive solidity and the ability to adapt to different playing conditions across the Southern Hemisphere. England’s World Cup campaign will kick off on 17 October with a match against Tonga in Perth.
The team will then face France and Papua New Guinea in the group stage before hoping to progress to the knockout rounds. Historically, England has been a strong contender but has never captured the title. The Lions were runners‑up in the 1975, 1995 and 2017 editions and reached the semi‑finals on home soil in 2021, where they were eliminated by Samoa.
The squad selection, therefore, carries considerable weight, as the coaching staff aim to assemble a unit capable of finally breaking the pattern of near‑misses. Beyond the immediate selection controversy, Connor’s exclusion raises questions about the criteria used to build a World Cup side. Some analysts argue that a player’s statistical output – such as tries, assists, metres gained and tackle success – should be the primary metric. Others contend that intangible factors like leadership, discipline, and the ability to thrive under pressure in high‑stakes matches are equally important.
In Connor’s case, his on‑field statistics are indisputable, but his relationship with the media and certain segments of the fan base may have tipped the balance in favour of a more low‑profile alternative. The decision also highlights the evolving nature of the England coaching structure.
With McDermatt at the helm, there is a clear intention to move away from the previous era’s selection philosophy. He has emphasized a more holistic approach, integrating sports science, player welfare and a clear playing style that prioritises quick ball movement and aggressive defence. Whether Connor’s skill set fits within that framework is a subject of ongoing debate among pundits. For Connor himself, the omission could serve as a catalyst for further growth.
At 31, he still has several years left at the top level, and a strong domestic season with Leeds could reinforce his case for future international inclusion. Many former players have used similar setbacks as motivation to refine their game, improve fitness, and demonstrate resilience. Connor’s next steps will likely involve focusing on his club responsibilities, maintaining his high assist numbers, and perhaps taking on a mentorship role for younger teammates. In summary, Jake Connor’s absence from England’s Rugby League World Cup roster is a surprising development given his recent Man of Steel award and league‑leading assist tally.
The decision reflects a complex mix of past controversies, coaching philosophy, and strategic considerations for the tournament. As the final squad list is unveiled, fans will watch closely to see how the chosen players, including likely newcomer Mikey Lewis, perform on the world stage and whether England can finally add the coveted World Cup trophy to its collection.