Six St.Helens First Team players have been named in the England Men's Train-On Squad as preparations continue for this autumn's ABK Beer Ashes Series.
The Ashes series against Australia returns after a 22-year absence later this year with three matches to be played on three consecutive Saturday afternoons – October 25, November 1 and November 8 – with each kicking off at 2:30pm.
Our six Saints selected by England Head Coach Shaun Wane for or an off-feet squad session next week are:
- Daryl Clark
- George Delaney
- Morgan Knowles
- Matty Lees
- Harry Robertson
- Jack Welsby
It is a first senior international selection for 19-year-old Harry Robertson, who has been in impressive form since making his St.Helens and Super League debut last July. This season has seen the young Saint move into the centres and truly shine, scoring 10 tries in 13 match appearances.
George Delaney received his first England call-up last season for the mid-season test against France, and was named as 18th player in the fixture, so has yet to make his England debut.
Jack Welsby is one of three members of the squad who have been selected despite dealing with long term injuries, the other two being Matty Ashton and Danny Walker of the Warrington Wolves.
Shaun Wane said: “It’s been hard finding chances for the players to get together in such a busy Super League season, so it will be good for them to spend some time together thinking about the challenges ahead.
“We’ve built a tight England spirit over the three years since the World Cup campaign, with successful home series against Tonga and Samoa, and staying in touch with all the players as I do, I know there’s a hunger and desperation to be involved against Australia at the end of this year.
“Bringing in some new faces who haven’t played for me before will show the competition for places that we have, especially when you add in the players we have available in the NRL – and I’ve always said it’s up to the players to show me what they can do with their performances on a weekly basis.”
Betfred Super League England Men Train-On Squad:
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), James Batchelor (Hull KR), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors), Harry Robertson (St Helens), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves).
