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 leave Jake Connor out of the squad once more has sparked considerable debate. Connor was controversially omitted from England's 3-0 Ashes defeat last autumn under former head coach Shaun Wane, and despite enjoying a standout season with the Leeds Rhinos that earned him a place in the Dream Team, he again finds himself on the outside of McDermot’s plans.
Instead, the head coach has opted to rely on George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis as his primary half‑back options, while also noting that Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala possesses the skill set to operate in that role if needed. For McDermott, the issue was never simply the players who featured in the heavy Ashes loss; it was the tactical approach that was employed and repeatedly failed.
"It isn’t about swapping players for the sake of it," McDermott explained. "Throughout the tournament we’ll select the side we think can execute the game plan most effectively each week, but last year we simply didn’t play with a clear point of difference. We tried the usual patterns – moving the ball to a particular patch of grass and then attempting to swing it wide to beat Australia on the edge." He continued, "I’m not saying England never uses those methods, but you have to incorporate a distinctive element.
Many teams shy away from that because it carries risk and doesn’t always work. It demands courage. A style that forces the opposition’s defence to answer more questions when you have the ball is far more effective than loading up for a single set shape." While McDermott acknowledges that Mikey Lewis aligns better with the "game model" he envisions than Connor, he also recognises the latter’s impressive form. "Jake has had an outstanding year," the coach said, referencing Connor’s Man of Steel award and his continued performances with a leading side.
"But beyond form, I also weigh leadership in big‑stage matches. Lewis has proven himself in the Challenge Cup and the World Club Challenge, which carries weight when selecting a squad for a world tournament." The head coach stressed that his selections are driven by a combination of current form and the ability to thrive under pressure. "International tournaments give you no second chances.
You must deliver in the moment; you can’t review a loss and try again the following week. That’s why I’ve chosen players who have a recent history of playing in finals, winning finals and delivering when it matters most." Mikey Lewis, for instance, helped his club win a World Cup 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 faced a couple of suspensions, McDermott believes his overall contribution fits the attack plan and game model England needs to compete with the top nations. When asked why Lewis was preferred over Connor, McDermott highlighted a simple but telling attribute: "The guy runs. When he’s unsure he runs.
He doesn’t sit and wonder; he brings energy, attitude and that can be contagious for the whole side. In international football everything is fought over the gain line. The Grand Final we watched in Australia demonstrated that most tries come from tight, hard‑running play rather than sweeping ball‑shifts across the field. Players like Mikey, who can take the ball into contact and keep it moving, are invaluable when the opposition is tiring." The coach also touched on the absence of any Wakefield Trinity players in the final squad.
Although the Super League Grand Final champions have several high‑quality athletes—Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and Tom Johnstone—McDermott revealed that all four withdrew due to injuries, some of which required surgery scheduled for later in the year. "It’s a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t available.
There was nothing we could do. They were all slated for operations, and I received a message confirming they wouldn’t be fit in time." McDermott concluded by reiterating his commitment to a distinct playing style: "From day one of taking this job, I’ve said we must develop a point of difference.
I have assembled a group of players who I believe best fit the attack plan and the game model that will allow England to challenge the leading nations. Form matters, but so does the ability to execute under pressure and bring the right energy when it counts. That’s the blueprint we’ll follow at the World Cup."