England head coach Brian McDermott has confirmed that Jake Connor will not be part of the England squad for the upcoming Rugby League World Cup. The omission of the Leeds Rhinos half-back has been described as a surprise, given his status as a prominent player in the Super League.

McDermott defended the selection process, explaining that the final roster was chosen based on the specific tactical requirements he believes are necessary to compete against the world's top teams. This is not the first time Connor has been excluded from national consideration; he was also left out of the squad by Shaun Wane for the Ashes series last autumn, despite having previously won the Super League’s Man of Steel award.

Following that previous exclusion, England suffered a 3-0 series defeat, a result that was widely attributed to a lack of attacking creativity. The current squad selection is also notable for the absence of any players from the new Super League champions, Wakefield. While the coach maintains that the current group is the best fit for his strategic vision, the decision to leave out a player of Connor's profile remains a significant point of discussion among fans and analysts.