Wane names England Men’s squad for 2023

13 Apr 2023

England Rugby League head coach Shaun Wane has named his extended 40-man squad for fixtures in 2023.

The squad, who will meet up ahead of the mid-season international against France later this month, features players from eight of the 12 Betfred Super League teams, with eight players being selected from each of Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and St Helens.

With a new look squad, featuring 20 uncapped players, the focus is on preparing for the next Rugby League World Cup in 2025. There are call-ups for plenty of Super League's young guns, such as Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors) and Jez Litten (Hull KR) alongside established internationals, Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Tommy Makinson (St Helens) and George Williams (Warrington Wolves) who all featured for England at the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

A number of names miss out from the squad which reached the RLWC semi-finals last Autumn, including any NRL based players who are unavailable for selection in the mid-season fixture.

On naming the squad, England boss Shaun Wane said: "I've selected a very young extended squad this time around and that is very much with the 2025 World Cup in France in mind.

"There are still several experienced players within the squad who featured in last year's World Cup, and others who could come back in. I am hoping the more experienced cohort help those younger players adapt and thrive in an international camp which will be very demanding.

"As always, the squad will be fluid, and players will be added if they are performing well and vice versa should performances dip.

"I think the squad really shows the depth of talent across the Betfred Super League, which plenty of people saw in person and on TV across the Easter Weekend.

"The mid-season international against France is the first step on the road to the next Rugby League World Cup and we are hoping to begin the journey in front of a packed house at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium."

Fans can see both the England Men's and Women's team in action on Saturday 29 April with a double-header against France at Warrington's Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Both the Men's and Women's team will wear a specially designed shirt for the game in association with and in support of Rob Burrow and MND Association.

Tickets for the international double-header are available to buy online now from only ?20 Adults and ?10 Under 16s.

For every ticket sold, ?2.50 will be donated to the MND Association.