Brian McDermott has repeatedly stressed that England must develop a distinct "point of difference" to succeed at the Rugby League World Cup, yet his decision to omit Jake Connor from the squad once more has sparked considerable debate among fans and pundits alike. Connor was previously excluded 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 standout season with the Leeds Rhinos that earned him a place in the league's Dream Team, he again finds himself on the outside of McDermott's plans.
Instead of Connor, McDermott has turned to a trio of half‑back alternatives: George Williams, Harry Smith and the dynamic Mikey Lewis, with Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala also listed as a capable option in the pivot role. According to the coach, the issue was never simply about individual talent, but rather the overall game plan that England employed during that heavy Ashes defeat – a strategy he believes has been tried and failed on multiple occasions in the past.
"It isn’t about swapping players for the sake of it," McDermott explained. "Throughout the tournament we will select the group we think can execute the job each week, but last year I felt the side didn’t exploit the points of difference that could have set us apart. They fell back on familiar patterns – trying to land the ball on a particular patch of grass and then shifting it wide to outflank Australia." He went on to stress that while England has not always adhered to a singular style, the team must embrace a bold, risk‑taking approach if it hopes to break the mould.
"You need courage," he said. "There is a way of playing that forces the opposition’s defence to answer more questions when you have the ball, rather than simply loading up for a single set piece." McDermott believes that Mikey Lewis aligns more closely with the "game model" he envisions than Connor does, even though Connor has enjoyed an impressive season.
The Leeds star’s form, however, was only one factor in the selection process. McDermott also weighed the importance of experience in high‑pressure matches, noting that Lewis has already proven his mettle in both the Challenge Cup and the World Club Challenge. "Jake has had a fantastic year," McDermott acknowledged.
"He won the Man of Steel award last season and continues to perform at a high level with a top‑flight team. But the squad I have assembled is built around players who fit the attack plan and the game model we identified weeks ago – the very elements we need to compete with the world’s elite nations." The coach emphasized that current form is certainly a factor, but it is not the sole criterion.
"We also consider whether a player can thrive under pressure," he said. "In a World Cup there are no second chances – you must deliver in the moment, you cannot go back and analyse a loss and try again the following week." McDermott highlighted that many of the players he selected have a recent history of playing in, and winning, finals. Mikey Lewis, for instance, was part of a World Club Challenge victory earlier in the year and helped guide his club to a Challenge Cup final appearance.
Although Lewis faced a dip in fitness toward the end of the season and served a couple of suspensions, McDermott believes his overall contribution to the attack plan outweighs those setbacks. When pressed about why he chose Lewis over Connor, McDermott pointed to a simple but powerful attribute: running.
"When he’s unsure, he runs," McDermott said. "He doesn’t hesitate. Mikey brings energy, attitude and a willingness to take the ball forward, especially when others are tiring.
That kind of drive is essential in international football where every play is contested over the gain line." He referenced the recent Grand Final in Australia to illustrate his point, noting that most tries were scored from tight, gain‑line play rather than wide, sweeping movements. "The game is won in the trenches," McDermton observed.
"Players who can carry the ball themselves when the rest of the team is fatigued are invaluable, and Mikey excels at that." The selection process also revealed an unfortunate omission of several Wakefield Trinity players – Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and Tom Johnstone – who were initially in contention but withdrew due to injuries just before the squad announcement. McDermott expressed disappointment at their unavailability, explaining that all four were slated for operations later in the year, making their participation unlikely. "It’s a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t able to join us," McDermott said.
"There was nothing we could do. Each of them had a fantastic season – Jake Trueman was exceptional, Mike McMeeken was huge in the finals, and both Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and Tom Johnstone made significant contributions. They were all on my radar, but the timing of their surgeries meant we had to move forward without them." In summary, McDermott’s selection reflects a blend of current form, experience in high‑stakes matches, and a clear commitment to a distinctive playing philosophy. By prioritising players who can execute a high‑energy, gain‑line‑focused attack and who have demonstrated the mental fortitude to perform under pressure, he hopes to give England the elusive "point of difference" needed to challenge the sport’s traditional powerhouses and make a deep run in the Rugby League World Cup.