England announce squad for home World Cup

England coach Shaun Wane has named his squad for his first Rugby League World Cup in charge his country on home soil.

Catalans Dragons full-back Sam Tomkins will captain England at this year’s World Cup.

Andy Ackers, Dom Young, Marc Sneyd, Herbie Farnworth, Victor Radley and Kai Pearce-Paul are hoping to play for England for the first time.

Super League champions St Helens have five players included in Wane’s squad – Batchelor, Morgan Knowles, Matty Lees, Tommy Makinson and Jack Welsby.

Australia-born Victor Radley has been included after pledging his allegiance to his English heritage. His father Nigel hails from Sheffield.

Wane has selected six NRL players in his England squad – Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs), Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Radley (Roosters), Luke Thompson (Bulldogs), Whitehead (Raiders) and Dom Young (Knights).

England boss Wane said: “After so many conversations with the players over the last two years, it’s exciting for all of us to be getting ready to go into camp for a home World Cup.

“The mood of the players and staff is fantastic. The opening match against Samoa in Newcastle is going to be a massive occasion, and I know English Rugby League fans and the sporting public will get behind us.”

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England squad for the World Cup:

Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons)

Andy Ackers (Salford)

Joe Batchelor (St Helens)

John Bateman (Wigan)

Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Mike Cooper (Wigan)

Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos)

Ryan Hall (Hull KR)

Chris Hill (Huddersfield)

Morgan Knowles (St Helens)

Matty Lees (St Helens)

Tommy Makinson (St Helens)

Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons)

Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)

Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds)

Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan)

Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)

Marc Sneyd (Salford)

Luke Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Kallum Watkins (Salford)

Jack Welsby (St Helens)

Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)

George Williams (Warrington)

Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

England are in a group alongside France, Greece and Samoa at the World Cup. They get their World Cup campaign underway against Samoa at St James’ Park in Newcastle on October 15.

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