Shaun Wane’s last chance for a look in his England team before the World Cup at the end of the year

As the World cup is only around the corner, Shaun Wane’s England side are bound to face Ellery Hanley’s combined nations team for a final look at his England side at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Saturday Afternoon.

A part of a double header on Saturday with both men and women’s team playing, we will get a final look on both teams before the World Cup at the end of the year. It’s a good chance for Shaun Wane and Craig Richards to take a look on where their respective teams are at and see where they can improve ahead of October.

It’s the first World Cup in England since 2013 when Australia were the worthy winners to pick up they’re 10th World Cup title. It was also the year when England bow’d out in the semi-final at Wembley vs New Zealand when Shaun Johnson broke England’s hearts in the final minutes off the game in front of a crowd of 67,575.

In the last World Cup in 2017, England made it to the final with Wayne Bennett in charge but was beaten by Australia 6-0 with a late ankle tap from Josh Dugan on Kallum Watkins which saved a certain try that broke England’s hearts.

The last time England Rugby League played was at the back end of last season when they travelled to the south of france and they took on a very improved France team with many youngsters from both Catalans and Toulouse coming through the ranks.

England were victious 30-10 with tries from Liam Farrell, Tom Davies with Tommy Makinson and John Bateman going in for two tries each to get England over the line in the end. However, Shaun Wane said after the game that the game was not England standard and that there was a lot to improve before the World Cup.

This game is massive for England to get some valuable game time together to get a shot of winning the World Cup at the end of the year and to compete with the top countries like New Zealand, Tonga and Australia . It is also a big game to learn what Shaun Wane wants of them and the individual game-plan he expects of them.

The players can also learn from this international game, what is needed for the rest of the season to win the hearts of coach Shaun Wane to get into contention for the World Cup.

Shaun Wane has announced his 20-man squad for Saturday’s game, and he has called up on the Catalans number nine, Micheal Mcllorum who was coached by Wane at their time at Wigan, after being out of the England set-up for nine years since the 2013 World Cup. He is also joined by team-mate Mike McMeeken for his first call up since the World Cup 2017.

He has also give England call ups to youngsters Matty Ashton from Warrington with Saints duo Joe Batchelor and Jack Welsby being named in the team for the first ever time. With Ryan Hall also being recalled into the team after his fine form for Hull KR this season with scoring 11 tries in 15 appearances.

In total, there are 11 changes from the 20-man squad that was named in England’s last game against France in October. Jordan Abdull, Ben Currie, Tom Davies, Niall Evalds, Zak Hardaker, Morgan Knowles, Kruise Leeming, Jonny Lomax, Reece Lyne, Harry Newman and Danny Walker miss out.

Ellery Hanley has announced his 20-man squad for this weekend’s game vs England and Hanly has stated that he has 16 withdrawals to the initial 29-man squad that Ellery named back in April with the likes of Jai Field, Ricky Leutele and Mitchell Pearce all being unseen in the Combined Nations team.

Although there’s some surprise call ups with England internationals Daryl Clark from Warrington and Kruise Leemimg from Leeds all being in the squad. There has also been call-ups from Brodie Croft, Mahe Fonua, Jacob Miller and Matt Parcell for their great performances so far this season.  Hull KR international Shaun Kenny Dowall will take the captaincy this weekend for the combined all stars.

Ellery Hanley has also on Tuesday afternoon revealed his 20th player to complete his team with it being announced as David Fifita occupying that spot from the Wakefield Trinity.

Team News:

England team:

Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), Joe Batchelor (St Helens), John Bateman (Wigan Warriors), Mike Cooper (Warrington Wolves), Liam Farrell (Wigan Warriors), Ryan Hall (Hull KR), Matty Lees (St Helens), Michael McIlorum, Mike McMeeken (both Catalans Dragons), Paul McShane (Castleford Tigers), Tommy Makinson (St Helens), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford (both Warrington Wolves), Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons, Captain), Alex Walmsley (St Helens), Jake Wardle (Huddersfield Giants), Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves)

Combined Nations All Stars squad: