England head coach Shaun Wane has defended his decision to leave out Super League’s Man of Steel winner, Jake Connor, from his 24-man squad for the upcoming Ashes series against Australia, insisting it was “not really difficult”.
Connor, who has been outstanding for Leeds Rhinos throughout the season, was widely expected to make the cut after his consistent performances earned him the prestigious Man of Steel award. However, Wane made it clear that individual accolades do not influence his squad selection process.
“He’s a very good player,” Wane said, “but when picking a squad, I never consider awards like Man of Steel. I’ve watched all the players play and I know who can do a fantastic job against Australia.”
The decision sparked debate among fans and pundits, with many questioning how the competition’s most consistent performer could be overlooked. Wane, however, dismissed the public outcry, saying there were other deserving players who also missed out. “There’s other players, not just Jake Connor, who didn’t make it. I don’t understand the obsession. The Man of Steel doesn’t mean anything to me,” he added.
Despite being left out, Connor remains part of Wane’s long-term plans and is expected to be available for next year’s World Cup. Wane emphasized that his selections were made based on tactical fit and the ability to perform under pressure against Australia’s elite.
The Ashes squad features several new faces and notable returns. Hull KR’s Joe Burgess has been recalled after a decade away from the national setup, following his impressive two-try display in the Super League Grand Final. Leigh forward Owen Trout and Gold Coast Titans’ AJ Brimson have both earned first Test call-ups, with Brimson qualifying through his English heritage.
Six NRL-based players have been included, including Herbie Farnworth and Kai Pearce-Paul, who both retain their spots from the side that defeated Samoa last year. Wane expressed confidence in the balance of his squad, highlighting the blend of Super League and NRL experience as key to England’s hopes of securing their first Ashes victory since 1970.
“There were some tough decisions to be made given the quality available, but I’m confident that this 24 will give us the best chance to win the series,” Wane concluded.
The first Test of the Ashes series kicks off at Wembley on 25 October, followed by matches at Everton and Headingley on successive weekends.
