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 McDermerson, comes as a surprise to many observers, given Connor’s impressive form over the past season and his reputation as one of the sport’s most dynamic creators. The tournament, scheduled to take place across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea during October and November, will see England aiming to improve on past performances that have left the nation perpetually close to, but never quite reaching, the final.
Connor’s omission is especially notable because he was also left out of the England squad for the previous year’s Ashes series, a decision that sparked considerable debate among fans and pundits alike. In the 2023 Super League campaign, Connor topped the league’s assist charts, delivering 43 decisive passes that helped his teammates break defensive lines and score crucial points. His ability to read the game, make split‑second decisions, and execute pinpoint kicks has earned him the nickname "Man of Steel" among Leeds supporters, a moniker that reflects both his physical resilience and his mental toughness on the field. Despite these achievements, the 31‑year‑old was not selected for the World Cup, marking a second consecutive exclusion from a major international competition.
The controversy surrounding Connor’s absence dates back to the 2023 home Ashes series against Australia. England suffered a 3‑0 whitewash, and the squad that coach Shaun Wane assembled was heavily scrutinised after the defeats.
Connor was one of several players omitted from that squad, a move that many believed was influenced by off‑field factors rather than pure performance metrics. After the series, Wane stepped down, and former Leeds head coach Brian McDermerson was appointed to steer England through the World Cup campaign. McDermerson has been a vocal defender of Connor.
In an interview in April, he criticized the media narrative that he felt unfairly targeted the player. "The rhetoric surrounding Jake has been tremendously unbalanced," McDermerson said. "I understand that Jake is a polarising figure—some people love him, others don’t—but that’s part of sport. We could argue endlessly about his personality, but the facts are clear: he is an outstanding talent, a game‑breaker, and one of the best in the world at his position." The coach’s comments highlight a broader discussion about how personal perceptions can sometimes eclipse on‑field contributions when selectors make their decisions.
While McDermerson praised Connor’s technical abilities, he also hinted that the selection panel might have been swayed by factors beyond pure statistics, such as team chemistry, defensive discipline, or even public opinion. The final England squad is set to be revealed on Monday, and early indications suggest that Hull KR’s full‑back Mikey Lewis will be chosen in place of Connor. Lewis has impressed with his speed, defensive work rate, and versatility, making him a logical alternative in the eyes of the selectors. Whether Lewis can fill the creative void left by Connor remains to be seen, but the coaching staff appear confident in their choice.
England’s World Cup campaign will kick off on 17 October with a match against Tonga in Perth. Following that opener, the team will face France and then Papua New Guinea in the group stage. Historically, England has been a strong contender, finishing as runners‑up in the 1975, 1995 and 2017 tournaments. The squad also reached the semi‑finals on home soil in 2021, only to be eliminated by Samoa in a tightly contested encounter.
The exclusion of a player of Connor’s calibre adds another layer of intrigue to England’s preparations. Some analysts argue that the decision could force the team to adopt a more balanced approach, relying less on a single play‑maker and more on a collective attacking structure. Others fear that the loss of Connor’s vision and passing precision could blunt England’s offensive edge, especially against physically imposing opponents like Tonga and Papua New Guinea.
Beyond the immediate tactical implications, Connor’s omission raises questions about the future direction of the England set‑up. The coaching staff will need to demonstrate that they can achieve success without relying on one of the league’s most prolific creators.
This could involve giving younger players more responsibility, experimenting with new combinations in the halves, or emphasizing defensive solidity to compensate for any loss in attacking flair. For fans, the news is a mixed bag.
While some will welcome the opportunity to see fresh talent emerge on the world stage, others will lament the absence of a player who has consistently delivered high‑quality performances at club level. As the tournament approaches, the conversation will likely shift from who was left out to how the selected squad performs under the pressure of a global competition.
Regardless of the outcome, the decision underscores the complex nature of international selection, where form, fitness, personality, and strategic considerations intertwine. England will now embark on its World Cup journey with a squad that reflects the coaching staff’s vision for the tournament, and the world will be watching to see whether that vision translates into success on the field. The tournament promises to be a showcase of the sport’s best talent, and England’s campaign will be a key storyline. Whether the team can overcome the setback of missing a star like Jake Connor and still deliver a strong performance will be one of the many narratives to emerge as the Rugby League World Cup unfolds.