Ever heard the one about the electrician, the lifeguard and the builder who went on to represent their country? There could be as many as 15 debutants when a new-look England side takes to the field against France in Warrington on Saturday afternoon, with Shaun Wane sticking to his promise of ripping up the squad that fell short in last year’s Rugby League World Cup and integrating a younger group of players in anticipation for the next tournament in France in 2025.
All of those players have their own unique stories to tell, but three in particular can scarcely believe they have reached this point. As recently as 18 months ago, Tyler Dupree and James Harrison were not even full-time Super League players, with Dupree involved in the Oldham side relegated to League 1, the sport’s lowest professional tier, and Harrison playing for Featherstone Rovers. They were released by Leeds and Bradford respectively as teenagers, told they were not good enough and, cast aside from the professional ranks, forced to go part-time.
