LEEDS RHINOS head coach Brad Arthur insists that Jake Connor can only continue to play well in order to push himself into the England reckoning.
Connor was absent from Shaun Wane’s 32-man training squad, with his omission raising some eyebrows given how the Leeds man has started the 2025 Super League season.
At the top of the try assist charts with 23, Connor has excelled under Rhinos boss Arthur and now the latter has given his verdict on the situation.
“I only control what team gets selected here, I don’t have control over the England squad,” Arthur said.
“Jake has been one of our most consistent players, he has worked really hard. Me and him had a brief conversation about the England thing but the only thing he do is to continue to play well, train well and you just don’t what might happen.
“It’s a long way away but if he continues to play well then he might force his (Shaun Wane) hand. He is mort than comfortable doing his job for us and he knows where he stands in this group.
“Whether he should be or shouldn’t be in the squad has nothing to do with me. I don’t want to comment on that, I don’t pick the team.
“All I can do is offer my opinion and how he has played for us. I have been happy with his consistency. He has only had one game where he was a bit off and that was against Saints a fortnight ago.
“There have been periods in games where he could have done things better but it’s hard to be on top for a full 80 minutes.
“He hasn’t had much practice with having the number 7 on his back. There have been signs of improvement, we have focused on his effort areas and he is getting better.”