Five most unfortunate players to miss out on a place in England’s World Cup squad
Wayne Bennett confirmed his 24-man England squad that he will take to the 2017 Rugby League World Cup earlier this week and it has caused controversy on social media to say the least.
The Brisbane Broncos boss whittled down his Elite Performance Squad down to just 24 players this week.
And we have picked out the five most unfortunate players to not have a place on the plane to Australia this autumn.
GREG EDEN (CASTLEFORD TIGERS)
A lot of people probably would have assumed that Greg Eden would have been on his way to the World Cup because of the 38 tries he has scored in Super League this season.
The league’s top try-scorer, he originally arrived at Castleford as a full-back from Brisbane ahead of the campaign but has been top class on the wing, making 2,624 metres.
LIAM FARRELL (WIGAN WARRIORS)
The 27-year-old is by far one of the most consistent players in Super League. Shaun Wane will always know what he is going to get with Liam Farrell.
He has made 24 appearances in Super League in 2017 and has made 772 tackles, 397 carries, 22 offloads and has bust 45 tackles which are great all-round stats for a forward.
PAUL MCSHANE (CASTLEFORD TIGERS)
Performance-wise, it has been the best year in his career for Paul McShane. He has grabbed 19 assists this season and has made a whopping 898 tackles, including 165 from marker.
He will have to wait a bit longer to make his mark on the international stage but only Josh Hodgson and James Roby have been picked ahead of him and not many will argue against not taking them two either.
SAM TOMKINS (WIGAN WARRIORS)
When Zak Hardaker became unavailable for selection, a lot of eyes turned to Sam Tomkins as to who would get the nod at full-back, so it’s a big surprise in general not to see him selected.
Tomkins was electric in the second half of the campaign. He provided five tries and seven assists in 12 games for Wigan, busting 21 tackles and his game management is second to none.
MICHAEL SHENTON (CASTLEFORD TIGERS)
He made the centre spot in the 2017 Betfred Super League Dream Team but he was unfortunate not to be picked for what surely would have been his last World Cup.
The 31-year-old has been in magnificent form for Castleford this season. He has come up with 19 assists as well as chipping in with six tries himself while busting 47 tackles.
A reminder of the England 24-man squad for the 2017 RLWC: John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Kevin Brown (Warrington Wolves), Sam Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Luke Gale (Castleford Tigers), James Graham (St George Illawarra Dragons), Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos), Chris Heighington (Cronulla Sharks), Chris Hill (Warrington Wolves), Josh Hodgson (Canberra Raiders), Jonny Lomax (St Helens), Jermaine McGillvary (Huddersfield Giants), Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers), Sean O’Loughlin (Wigan Warriors), Mark Percival (St Helens), Stefan Ratchford (Warrington Wolves), James Roby (St Helens), Scott Taylor (Hull FC), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos), Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders), Gareth Widdop (St George Illawarra Dragons), George Williams (Wigan Warriors).
What do you think of our picks for the five most unfortunate players to have missed out on the England World Cup squad? Or should someone else be in the list? Let us know in the comments below.
