As many as 15 players could make England debuts against France, with George Williams, Jack Welsby, Kai Pearce-Paul and Ben Currie only members of 19-man squad to have played before; watch England vs France in men's and women's rugby league live on Sky Sports on Saturday
Wednesday 26 April 2023 19:10, UK
England coach Shaun Wane has named a new-look squad for Saturday's international against France, with only George Williams, Jack Welsby and Kai Pearce-Paul retained from last year's World Cup campaign and 15 players in line for debuts.
New captain Williams, Welsby, Pearce-Paul and Ben Currie are the only members of a 19-man party to have represented England before.
England play France live on Sky Sports Arena on Saturday (4.30pm kick-off) with that match preceded by England Women vs France Women on the same channel (1.30pm kick-off).
Warrington stars Williams and Currie are joined in the squad by five of their Wolves team-mates in Matty Ashton, James Harrison, Matty Nicholson, Josh Thewlis and Danny Walker.
Six Wigan players are named with Ethan Havard, Toby King - who played for Ireland in last year's World Cup - Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies and Jake Wardle picked alongside Pearce-Paul.
England cruised to a 42-18 win over France in the second round of their World Cup campaign in Bolton in October, before suffering a heart-breaking 27-26 defeat to Samoa in the semi-finals.
Wane said: "It was always my intention to pick a young squad for this mid-season game and I am really happy with the final 19 I've selected. All of these players have been picked based on their form in Super League and with an eye on the next Rugby League World Cup in France in 2025.
"I am excited to see how some of these lads go on the international stage and it's a massive privilege to be able to give them the opportunity to represent our country."
England squad for France match: Matty Ashton, Ben Currie (both Warrington Wolves), Tyler Dupree (Salford Red Devils), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Toby King (Wigan Warriors), Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten (both Hull KR), Matty Nicholson (Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce-Paul, Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies (all Wigan Warriors), Josh Thewlis, Danny Walker (both Warrington Wolves), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves).
Wane is convinced he has the full backing of Super League bosses despite a series of high-profile withdrawals from his squad ahead of Saturday's mid-season international against France at Warrington.
Star names including St Helens pair Jonny Lomax and Lewis Dodd and Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman were surprise omissions from Wane's final squad of 19 when it was reduced from its initial number of 40 last week.
Jack Welsby is the only one of eight Saints players to survive the cut but Wane, who is preparing to take charge for the first time since England's agonising World Cup semi-final defeat to Samoa in November, says the withdrawals were due to a variety of factors.
"The start we've had in Super League has been really tough and the way teams have being ripping in, there are going to injuries, but that means there will be opportunities for a number of other young players," said Wane.
"It's down to a bit of everything, including fatigue. (Saints head coach) Paul Wellens is an England man, he's worked with me and they've had a tough start with the travel. I know they've got a number of injuries.
"I've had meetings with all the Super League coaches and CEOs and they have my trust. I know they all want England to do well."
Wane is determined to use the game against the French, whom England swept aside 42-18 in their World Cup second round match in Bolton, to begin building a squad capable of challenging at the next World Cup in France in 2025.
To that end Welsby, Wigan's Kai Pearce-Paul and his new captain, Warrington half-back George Williams, are the only three players in the 19 to have featured in the tournament last year.
"We need to improve and start developing some of the players who are coming through," added Wane. "Everything we do now in terms of training and recovery is going to help dictate how close we get to winning that final in 2025.
