Mikey Lewis has been included in England’s 23-man squad for this month’s in Australia, despite experiencing a frustrating conclusion to the Super League season.
Hull KR’s former Man of Steel suffered fitness and disciplinary troubles towards the end of the campaign, which saw defending champions Rovers eliminated in the first round of the play-offs.
However, Lewis was selected over rival half-back Jake Connor by new head coach Brian McDermott, leaving long-standing league leaders Leeds without a single player in the squad.
Newly crowned Super League champions Wakefield are also without representation after Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone and Caleb Hamlin Uele withdrew through injury, while half-back Jake Trueman was overlooked.
Seven Wigan players feature in the selection, alongside three from Warrington – with Matty Ashton and Ben Currie joining George Williams after their Grand Final defeat.
Hugo Savala and Victor Radley enter the squad having helped Sydney win the NRL Grand Final at the weekend, with fellow NRL players Max King and Ben Talty among five uncapped names included.
McDermott said: “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.
“Throughout that process, we have challenged players to develop a deeper understanding of themselves – their strengths, their point of difference, the areas they need to improve and the standards required to perform at international level.”
England will begin against Tonga on 17 October before matches against France and Papua New Guinea in the group stage, with every game broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK.
England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington); AJ Brimson (Gold Coast); Zach Eckersley (Wigan); Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins); Hugo Savala (Sydney); Jack Welsby (St Helens); Dom Young (Newcastle Knights); Mikey Lewis (Hull KR); Harry Smith (Wigan); George Williams (Warrington); Jez Litten (Hull KR); Brad O’Neill (Wigan); Ben Currie (Warrington); Ethan Havard (Wigan); Max King (Canterbury); Morgan Knowles (Dolphins); Junior Nsemba (Wigan); Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers); Victor Radley (Sydney); Morgan Smithies (Canberra); Ben Talty (Brisbane); Luke Thompson (Wigan); Sam Walters (Wigan).