Hull KR Stars Shine as England Ashes Squad Faces Australia Jake Connor Excluded
Hull KR’s talented trio, Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, and Joe Burgess, have secured places in England’s final 24-man squad for the autumn Ashes Test series against Australia. However, notable absences include Super League’s Man of Steel, Jake Connor. Despite his exceptional performance, Connor was unable to sway head coach Shaun Wane in a highly competitive selection process.
England’s Ashes Squad Preview
Jez Litten, who received his only previous international cap against France in 2023, joins Burgess, marking a significant return to the England setup after a decade-long absence. Burgess made headlines by scoring two tries in Hull KR’s recent triumph over Wigan, further solidifying his case for selection.
Head Coach’s Comments
Coach Shaun Wane expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming series. “I’m really excited by the 24 players we have selected,” he stated. “There were tough decisions to make given the quality we have across both Super League and the NRL. I am confident that the selected players will give us the best chance of winning this series.”
Key Matches and Schedule
England’s Ashes Test series against Australia features three matches:
- October 25 – Wembley Stadium
- November 1 – Hill Dickinson Stadium, Everton
- November 8 – AMT Headingley
All matches are set for a 14:30 kick-off and will be broadcast live on BBC One. Prominent players in contention for key positions include captain George Williams, Harry Smith of Wigan, and Lewis, who recently won the Rob Burrow Award for his outstanding performance at Old Trafford.
Selected Players
Here’s the complete list of England’s squad for the Ashes series:
- John Bateman (North Queensland Cowboys)
- AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
- Joe Burgess (Hull KR)
- Daryl Clark (St Helens)
- Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
- Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
- Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
- Matty Lees (St Helens)
- Mikey Lewis (Hull KR)
- Jez Litten (Hull KR)
- Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
- Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos)
- Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
- Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
- Kai Pearce-Paul (Newcastle Knights)
- Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)
- Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders)
- Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards)
- Alex Walmsley (St Helens)
- Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors)
- Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)
- Jack Welsby (St Helens)
- George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
- Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
The excitement builds as England prepares to face Australia, showcasing a mix of seasoned veterans and fresh talent in the Ashes Test series.
