Brian McDermott has repeatedly emphasized that England must develop a distinct "point of difference" to succeed at the Rugby League World Cup, yet his decision to leave Jake Connor out of the squad once again has sparked considerable debate. Connor was the subject of controversy when he was omitted from the England side that suffered a 3-0 whitewash in the Ashes series last autumn under former head coach Shaun Wane. Despite that setback, Connor enjoyed a standout season with the Leeds Rhinos, earning a place in the Dream Team and showcasing the form that many believed would merit his inclusion in the World Cup roster. Instead of selecting Connor, McDermott has turned to a different set of half‑backs: George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis, with the added flexibility of Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala, who can also operate in the halves.
According to McDermott, the issue was not simply the individual talent displayed during the heavy Ashes defeat, but rather the overall game plan that England employed—a strategy that has been tried repeatedly and has consistently fallen short. "It isn’t just about swapping players," McDermott explained. "Throughout the tournament we will pick the combination that we think gives us the best chance each week, but last year we failed to exploit a real point of difference.
We fell back on familiar patterns – trying to land the ball on a particular patch of grass and then shifting it wide to outflank Australia. That approach simply isn’t enough." He continued, "I’m not saying England has never used a different style, but many coaches shy away from it because it carries risk. You need courage to implement a plan that forces the opposition’s defence to answer more questions when you have the ball, rather than relying on a single set‑piece shape each time." While McDermott acknowledges that Mikey Lewis aligns more closely with the desired "game model" than Connor, he also recognises that Connor has enjoyed an excellent season.
Form, however, is only one factor in McDermott’s selection criteria. Experience in high‑pressure matches also weighed heavily on his mind. Lewis, for instance, has proven himself in the Challenge Cup final and the World Club Challenge, both of which are marquee fixtures that test a player’s composure and ability to deliver when it matters most.
"Jake has had a fantastic year," McDermott added. "He was named Man of Steel last season and continues to perform at a high level with a leading club this year.
But I have built a squad of players who fit the attacking blueprint and the overall game model we identified weeks ago – the very approach we need to compete with the top nations." The coach stressed that current form is important, but it is not the sole determinant. "Another principle behind our selections is the capacity to perform under pressure," he said.
"In the World Cup there are no second chances – you must execute in the moment. You can’t review a performance and get another shot the following week." To that end, McDermott has deliberately chosen athletes with a proven track record in finals. "Mikey Lewis helped his side win a World Cup Challenge earlier this year and then steered them to a Challenge Cup final," McDermott noted.
"Even though he struggled with fitness toward the end of the season and served a couple of suspensions, his contributions to our attack plan and game model remain vital." When asked why Lewis was preferred over Connor, McDermott highlighted a simple but telling attribute: running. "When Mikey is unsure, he runs.
He doesn’t hesitate. That energy and attitude can lift a whole team, especially when fatigue sets in. International rugby league is fought over the gain line, and you need players who can carry the ball forward when others are tiring.
Lewis excels at that." He drew a parallel with the recent Grand Final in Australia, observing that most tries were created through tight, gain‑line play rather than sweeping, cross‑field movements. "The game is increasingly about short, powerful bursts and maintaining momentum over the gain line," McDermott said. "Players like Lewis who can break the line with direct running are invaluable in that context." The selection process also saw notable absences from Wakefield Trinity, the Super League Grand Final champions. Although players such as Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and Tom Johnstone were initially on the extended England list, all four withdrew due to injuries just before the squad announcement.
"It’s a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t available," McDermott lamented. "There was nothing we could do; each of them is scheduled for surgery later in the year.
Jake Trueman has had a stellar season, McMeeken has been massive in the finals, and both Hamlin‑Uele and Johnstone have contributed heavily. All of them were in contention, but the timing of their operations forced their withdrawal." In summary, McDermott’s rationale for leaving Connor out revolves around a combination of tactical philosophy, recent form, and experience in high‑stakes matches. He believes that England must break away from conventional patterns and embrace a bold, gain‑line‑focused style that leverages the unique strengths of players like Mikey Lewis.
By selecting a group accustomed to delivering in finals and capable of thriving under pressure, McDermott hopes to give England the decisive edge needed to challenge the sport’s traditional powerhouses and make a genuine push for World Cup glory.