Brian McDermott has repeatedly stressed that England must develop a "point of difference" to succeed at the Rugby League World Cup, yet his decision to exclude Jake Connor from the squad once more has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits. Connor was controversially omitted from the England side that suffered a 3-0 defeat in the Ashes series last autumn under former head coach Shaun Wane, and despite a standout season for the Leeds Rhinos that earned him a place in the Super League Dream Team, McDermott has again left him out of the World Cup roster. Instead, the England coach has selected George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis as his primary half‑backs, while also noting that Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala could be deployed in a half‑back role if needed.
McDermott argues that the problem in the heavy Ashes loss was not the individual players but the tactical approach that England employed—a strategy that has been tried repeatedly and has failed to produce the desired results. "It isn’t simply about swapping players," McDermond said in a recent interview. "Throughout the tournament we will pick the combination we think gives us the best chance each week, but last year the side lacked a genuine point of difference.
They stuck to the same old patterns – trying to put the ball on a specific patch of grass and then swinging it wide to beat Australia on the outside." He continued, "I don’t claim England never tried anything different, but the risk of a new approach often deters coaches because it can backfire. You need courage to ask more questions of the opposition defence rather than relying on a single set‑piece structure each time you gain possession." While McDermott acknowledges that Mikey Lewis fits the preferred "game model" better than Connor, he also recognises that Connor has enjoyed an excellent season. The coach added that experience in high‑pressure games also factored into his decision, pointing to Lewis’s recent performances in the Challenge Cup final and the World Club Challenge as evidence of his ability to deliver when it matters most.
"Jake has had a superb year," McDermott said. "He won the Man of Steel award last season and continues to perform at a high level with a top‑flight club this year. However, I have assembled a squad that aligns with the attacking philosophy and the game model we identified weeks ago – a model that we need to adopt if we want to compete with the leading nations." The coach stressed that current form is only one piece of the puzzle. "Form matters, of course, but we also consider whether a player can thrive under pressure.
In a World Cup there are no second chances – you must deliver on the day, you cannot go back, review the footage and try again the following week," he explained. McDermott highlighted that many of the players he selected have a proven track record in finals. "Mikey Lewis helped his club win a World Club Challenge earlier this year and guided them to a Challenge Cup final.
Even though his fitness dipped toward the end of the season and he served a couple of suspensions, his contribution to the attack plan remains vital," the coach noted. When asked why Lewis was preferred over Connor, McDermott pointed to a simple but telling attribute: running instinct.
"When Lewis is unsure, he runs. He doesn’t freeze. His energy and attitude can lift the whole side, especially when fatigue sets in.
International matches are fought over the gain line, and in the recent Grand Final in Australia you saw very few tries coming from long‑range switches – most were built from tight, gain‑line play. Players like Lewis who can take the ball up hard and keep the momentum going are exactly what we need." The selection process also revealed an unfortunate omission of several Wakefield Trinity players – Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamele‑Uele and Tom Johnstone – who were initially in the extended squad but withdrew due to injuries announced on the morning the squad was made public. McDermott expressed disappointment, saying, "It is a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t available.
There was nothing we could do, and they all have operations scheduled later in the year. Jake Trueman, in particular, has had a fantastic season, and Mike McMeeken has been huge in the finals. All four were strong candidates, but their medical situations forced them out." In summary, McDermott’s rationale for leaving Jake Connor out of the World Cup squad centres on a blend of tactical philosophy, recent form, big‑game experience and the specific skill set required to execute England’s new attack plan. By choosing players who embody the desired point of difference – especially those who can generate momentum at the gain line and thrive under pressure – he hopes to give England a distinct edge over traditional powerhouses like Australia and New Zealand.
The coach acknowledges the risk inherent in deviating from familiar patterns, but insists that without that boldness, England will continue to repeat the same shortcomings that have plagued them in recent major tournaments.