Mikey Lewis has earned a place in England’s 23-man squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup in Australia, despite a challenging end to the Super League season. The former Man of Steel from Hull KR faced fitness and disciplinary issues that contributed to the team’s early exit in the play-offs.

In a surprising decision, new head coach Brian McDermott chose Lewis over rival half-back Jake Connor, marking a significant shift as long-time league leaders Leeds found themselves without representation in the squad.

Wakefield, newly crowned Super League champions, also missed out on inclusion, with Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone, and Caleb Hamlin Uele withdrawing due to injuries. Additionally, half-back Jake Trueman was not selected.

The squad features:

• Seven players from Wigan
• Three from Warrington, including Matty Ashton, Ben Currie, and George Williams after their Grand Final defeat.
• Hugo Savala and Victor Radley, fresh from their victory with Sydney in the NRL Grand Final.
• Max King and Ben Talty, among five uncapped players included.

McDermott emphasized the careful selection process, stating, "We have selected the squad after a thorough and deliberate process, underpinned by a unique decentralised preparation model that has allowed us to work closely with the players well before they come together in camp." He highlighted the importance of players understanding their strengths and areas for improvement.

England will kick off their campaign against Tonga on 17 October, followed by matches against France and Papua New Guinea, with all games set to be broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK.