England boss Shaun Wane has included 20 potential debutants, including Salford’s Tyler Dupree, Warrington’s Josh Thewlis and Leeds’ Morgan Gannon, in a 40-man squad preparing for to face France.
With one eye on the 2025 World Cup, he has chosen plenty of Betfred Super League’s best young talent to run the rule over ahead of the Test at Warrington on April 29 and also for the rest of the year. Leeds centre Harry Newman, Huddersfield’s Will Pryce and Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis will all hope to earn first caps. And unbeaten Super League leaders Warrington have eight players selected including uncapped wingers Thewlis and Matty Ashton plus prop James Harrison - whose dad Karl represented Great Britain with such esteem - and 19-year-old back-row Matty Nicholson.
Wigan also have eight selections with in-form forwards Ethan Harvard and Morgan Smithies seeking a first taste of top-flight international rugby league. But there is plenty of experience on hand as well with 35-year-old Huddersfield prop Chris Hill retaining his place after an excellent World Cup last autumn. Seven Super League-based players from that tournament have been omitted including England captain Sam Tomkins, the Catalans star who has played only once this season due to injury, and his Dragons team-mate Michael McIlorum.
