Brian McDermott has repeatedly emphasized that England must develop a "point of difference" to succeed at the Rugby League World Cup, yet his decision to leave Jake Connor out of the squad once more has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits alike. Connor was controversially 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 enjoying a stellar season with the Leeds Rhinos that earned him a place in the Super League Dream Team, he again finds himself on the outside of McDermott’s plans.
Instead of Connor, McDermott has selected George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis as his preferred half‑backs, while also noting that Hugo Savala, the Sydney Roosters centre, possesses the skill set to operate in that role if required. According to the English coach, the problem was never the individual players who featured in the heavy Ashes defeat, but rather the tactical approach that England employed – a game plan that has been tried, tested and ultimately failed on numerous occasions. "It isn’t simply a matter of swapping players," McDermott explained. "Throughout the tournament we will pick the combination we think can best execute the job each week, but last year I felt the side didn’t have a real point of difference.
They stuck to the familiar patterns – trying to plant the ball on a particular patch of grass and then shifting it wide to beat Australia on the edges." He went on to stress that while England does not always rely on a single formula, a clear differentiator is essential. "There’s a risk in trying something new because it might not work, but you need the courage to ask the opposition’s defence more questions when you have the ball, rather than loading up for a single set‑piece play," he said. McDermott believes Mikey Lewis fits the newly defined "game model" better than Connor, even though Connor’s form has been impressive.
The coach also considered leadership experience in high‑pressure matches, pointing out that Lewis has already proven his mettle in the Challenge Cup and the World Club Challenge. "Jake had an outstanding season – he won the Man of Steel award last year and is playing with a top‑flight side again this year," McDermott acknowledged. "But I have a squad that I think best matches the attack plan and the game model we identified weeks ago, a model we need to adopt to compete with the leading nations." He added that current form is only one factor in selection; the ability to perform under pressure is equally vital.
"In the World Cup you don’t get second chances. You have to deliver on the day; you can’t go back, review the footage and try again the following week," McDermott warned. "I have chosen players who have a recent history of playing in finals, winning finals and delivering when it matters." Mikey Lewis, for example, helped his club win a World Club Challenge earlier in the year and guided them to a Challenge Cup final.
Although Lewis struggled with fitness toward the end of the season and served a couple of suspensions, McDermott believes his overall contribution aligns with the attack plan England needs. "When he’s in doubt he runs," McDermott said, highlighting Lewis’s instinctive willingness to take the ball forward. "He doesn’t freeze; he brings energy, attitude and that can be contagious for the whole side." The coach stressed that international rugby league is largely a battle over the gain line. "If you look at the Grand Final in Australia, you won’t see many tries that come from moving the ball from left to right across the field – everything is tight, everything is about gaining metres.
Players who can keep the ball moving when everyone else is tired are invaluable, and Mikey does that exceptionally well." Another notable omission from the England squad is the entire Wakefield Trinity contingent. Although the Super League Grand Final winners have several players – Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and Tom Johnstone – listed in the extended squad, all four withdrew due to injuries announced just the morning the squad was made public. "It’s a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t available.
There was nothing we could do," McDermott lamented. "They’re all booked for operations later in the year. Jake Trueman, for instance, has had a fantastic season, and Mike McMeeken has been enormous in the finals, as have Caleb and Tom. They were all in my thoughts, but the medical situation made it impossible to include them." In summary, McDermott’s selection policy revolves around a clear strategic vision: a distinct point of difference that forces opponents to defend in unfamiliar ways, combined with players who have proven they can thrive under the intense pressure of knockout rugby.
By favouring Lewis, Williams and Smith, and by excluding seasoned performers like Connor and the Wakefield trio, the England coach is signalling that he values tactical flexibility, recent big‑game experience and the willingness to take calculated risks over simply rewarding form or reputation. The ultimate test will come on the World Cup stage, where the squad’s ability to execute this nuanced game plan will determine whether England can finally break through the dominance of the sport’s traditional powerhouses.