WHEELCHAIR treble-winners Halifax Panthers contribute three players to England’s squad for the World Cup after coach Tom Coyd selected his final ten to defend the trophy.
The dominant force in the game over the past two seasons, Halifax sealed a second straight clean sweep of silverware with Sunday’s 64-24 Super League Grand Final victory over Leeds Rhinos.
Jack Brown scored six of their tries in that win and Rob Hawkins four, with the pair – both part of England’s 2022 World Cup win – on the plane alongside club teammate Finlay O’Neill.
London Roosters also contribute three players in captain Lewis King, fellow world champion from four years ago Joe Coyd, and Mason Billington making the cut.
Nathan Collins completes the contingent retained from the last World Cup, selected alongside Leeds Rhinos teammate Tristan Norfolk and the Sheffield Eagles duo of Luis Domingos and Chris Haynes.
Leeds’ Josh Butler and Hull FC’s Josh Edwards have missed out from the twelve-man training squad in place since July.
There is no place for Tom Halliwell, who captained their World Cup triumph, despite the Rhinos man making a successful comeback from shoulder surgery earlier this year.
England have been holding regular training camps throughout the year and will have one more at St George’s Park – the Football Association’s elite centre in Staffordshire – on the weekend of October 3-4.
They will then fly to Australia on Thursday, October 22, ahead of their World Cup opener against Wales on Friday, October 30.
Their other group-stage fixtures are against the USA (Tuesday, November 3) and Ireland (Friday, November 6), all at the WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong, which is hosting the entire tournament.
Coyd, who has led the team since 2020, said: “Selecting a World Cup squad is never easy, but this group has earned the opportunity through their performances, commitment and professionalism throughout the programme.
“We have a blend of experienced international players and those who have emerged through the pathway, and together, I believe we can be a team that’s hard to play against, with the versatility to win in different ways.
“The squad has developed a real connection on and off the field. They’ve challenged each other to get better all the time, and we’ve seen significant growth across the group.
“We are excited for the tough challenges ahead, and the players have earned the right to be confident in the work they’ve put in.”
Fellow two-time winners France, hosts Australia, newcomers New Zealand, and Scotland are also competing.
England squad: Mason Billington (London Roosters), Jack Brown (Halifax Panthers), Nathan Collins (Leeds Rhinos), Joe Coyd (London Roosters), Luis Domingos (Sheffield Eagles), Rob Hawkins (Halifax Panthers), Chris Haynes (Sheffield Eagles), Lewis King (London Roosters), Tristan Norfolk (Leeds Rhinos), Finlay O’Neill (Halifax Panthers)