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 sparked considerable debate. Connor, who 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, has enjoyed a standout season with the Leeds Rhinos, earning a place in the league’s Dream Team.
Despite those credentials, McDermott has chosen to rely on George Williams, Harry Smith and Mikey Lewis as his primary half‑back options, with Sydney Roosters centre Hugo Savala also capable of filling the role. For McDermott, the problem with the heavy Ashes defeat was not the individual players but the tactical approach that had been tried repeatedly and failed. "It isn’t simply a matter of swapping personnel," he explained.
"Throughout the tournament we will select the combination we feel gives us the best chance each week, but last year the team lacked a genuine point of difference. They stuck to familiar patterns – trying to get the ball onto a particular patch of grass and then swinging it wide to outflank Australia." He went on to stress that England does not have to repeat that formula.
"I’m not saying England has always ignored the point of difference, but many teams shy away from it because it carries risk. You need courage to adopt a style that forces the opposition’s defence to work harder when you have the ball, rather than relying on a single set‑piece structure." While McDermott believes that Mikey Lewis better fits the "game model" he wants to implement, he acknowledges that Connor has been in excellent form. Form, however, is only one factor; experience in high‑pressure matches also weighed heavily in the selection process. Lewis has proven his mettle in the Challenge Cup and the World Club Challenge, delivering when the stakes were highest.
"Jake has had an outstanding season," McDermott said. "He won the Man of Steel award last year and continues to perform for a top‑tier side.
But I have assembled a squad that I think best matches the attack plan and the game model we identified weeks ago – the very approach we need to compete with the world’s elite nations." McDermott reiterated that the squad was chosen not only on recent form but also on the ability to thrive under pressure. International tournaments offer no second chances; a single poor performance can end a campaign. "You cannot review a game and get another shot the following week," he warned.
"I have selected players with a recent history of playing in finals, winning finals, and delivering when it matters." Mikey Lewis, for instance, was part of the World Club Challenge‑winning side earlier in the year and helped guide his team to a Challenge Cup final. Although he struggled with fitness toward the end of the season and served a couple of suspensions, McDermott believes his style aligns perfectly with the desired game model. "He runs when he’s uncertain, he brings energy and attitude, and that can be contagious for the whole side," McDermott noted.
"In international rugby league everything is contested over the gain line. If you look at the Grand Final in Australia, the tries came from tight, hard‑running play rather than wide, sweeping moves. Players like Lewis can carry the ball forward when others are fatigued, and he does that exceptionally well." The selection process also highlighted the impact of injuries on the squad composition. Despite the Wakefield Trinity side winning the Super League Grand Final, none of their players made the final England roster.
Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hama‑Hame, and Tom Johnstone were all named in the extended squad but withdrew due to injuries announced just the morning the squad was revealed. "It’s a real shame the Wakefield lads aren’t available," McDermott lamented.
"There was nothing we could do. All four are slated for operations later this year, and I received their messages just before the announcement." In summary, McDermott’s approach to England’s World Cup campaign revolves around a clear strategic vision: abandon the familiar, low‑risk patterns that led to past defeats and adopt a more aggressive, gain‑line‑focused style that leverages players with proven big‑game experience.
By selecting a mix of form‑players and seasoned competitors—such as George Williams, Harry Smith, Mikey Lewis and the versatile Hugo Savala—he aims to give England a distinctive edge. The exclusion of Jake Connor, while controversial, underscores McDermott’s commitment to a specific game model rather than simply rewarding individual performance. As the tournament approaches, England’s success will hinge on whether this “point of difference” can translate into decisive victories on the world stage.