England confirm squad numbers for World Cup

England head coach Shaun Wane has locked in his squad numbers ahead of their World Cup opener against Samoa on Saturday.

Catalans Dragons full-back Sam Tomkins, who will captain his country, will wear the number one shirt.

Wane selected three wingers in his 24-man squad – Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Ryan Hall (Hull KR) and Dom Young (Newcastle Knights). Makinson and Hall have been given the starting wing numbers, whilst Young will wear 14.

Salford’s Kallum Watkins and Brisbane talent Herbie Farnworth look to be Wane’s preferred options at centre, having been given numbers three and four respectively.

St Helens utility Jack Welsby has been given the six jersey, with Warrington’s George Williams taking seven. The other half-back in Wane’s squad, Marc Sneyd, will wear 21.

In the hooking role, Michael McIlorum (Catalans) has been given nine, with Salford’s Andy Ackers wearing 19.

NRL stars Tom Burgess (Rabbitohs) and Luke Thompson (Bulldogs) have been given the starting jerseys in the front-row.

Bradfordians Elliott Whitehead and John Bateman will partner each other in the back-row, wearing 11 and 12 respectively.

The Australia-born Victor Radley has been given the number 13 shirt. St Helens powerhouse Morgan Knowles will wear 15, having represented Wales at the last World Cup in 2017.

England squad numbers for World Cup:

1. Sam Tomkins (captain)

2. Tommy Makinson

3. Kallum Watkins

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Ryan Hall

6. Jack Welsby

7. George Williams

8. Tom Burgess

9. Michael McIlorum

10. Luke Thompson

11. Elliott Whitehead

12. John Bateman

13. Victor Radley

14. Dom Young

15. Morgan Knowles

16. Matty Lees

17. Mike Cooper

18. Chris Hill

19. Andy Ackers

20. Mike McMeeken

21. Marc Sneyd

22. Joe Batchelor

23. Mikolaj Oledzki

24. Kai Pearce-Paul

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