England Knights squad named to face Jamaica this weekend
Will Pryce, son of former Great Britain stand-off Leon Pryce, has been named in a 20-man England Knights squad for Friday’s international against Jamaica at Castleford.
Pryce, who burst onto the Super League scene with Huddersfield in 2021, scoring six tries in the Giants’ last 13 matches of the season, is one of five teenagers named by coach Paul Anderson, who is placing the emphasis on youth with a eye on the 2025 World Cup.
The squad includes 17-year-old Leeds centre Levi Edwards and 20-year-old former Croydon Hurricanes forward Kai Pearce-Paul, who made a big impact with Wigan in 2021.
St Helens’ Grand Final winners Lewis Dodd and Matty Lees will undertake fitness checks before joining the squad later in the week.
Anderson said: “Through the Knights programme we’re investing in the future of England Rugby League, and although we’ve had a few injuries and promotions to the senior set up it’s created opportunities for others to come in and show what they can do.
“I’m really excited about working with this group of players and helping them realise their potential.
“The Knights is about developing talent, preparing well and competing hard. My job is to prepare players for the next step, the senior international team, and the connectivity between the two squads is massive.
“In camp players will be exposed to the critical differences between what they experience day-in and day-out with their clubs, and what they can expect as England internationals.
“For some of these players the chance to represent the senior side may come at this year’s World Cup, for others it might be 2025.”
England Knights squad to face Jamaica: Matty Ashton, Ellis Longstaff, Danny Walker, Connor Wrench (Warrington), Jack Broadbent, Levi Edwards, Morgan Gannon, Tom Holroyd (Leeds), Lewis Dodd, Matty Lees, Aaron Smith (St Helens), Matty English, Will Pryce, Olly Wilson (Huddersfield), Sam Halsall, Liam Marshall, James McDonnell, Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan), George Lawler, Mikey Lewis (Hull KR).
