BRIAN McDERMOTT believes that including five debutants in his 23-man England squad is a “great story”.
Wigan Warriors teammates Zach Eckersley and Sam Walters have been included in the national side for the first time, whilst NRL-based trio Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos) and Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters) also make the cut.
“Zach Eckersley coming through the ranks at Wigan, I’ve been really impressed with him, and Sam Walters has had a good year too,” McDermott said.
“The Australian-based players in Max King, Ben Talty and Hugo Savala, too. I know Ben Talty has been with a struggling Brisbane team but he won a Grand Final last year and those things don’t leave you quickly.
“Hugo Savala is very well respected in the Sydney Roosters camp. I’m really excited to have him in there.
“I know he didn’t play in the NRL Grand Final but that was because of the other players that were picked in front of him, it wasn’t down to him.”
McDermott revealed that his toughest decisions were to leave out Warrington hooker Danny Walker and Leeds back-rower Kallum Watkins.
He said: “I know Kallum has a tonne of experience and he doesn’t look like he’s anywhere near retiring.
“I just feel that with the squad we’ve got, we didn’t need him, as cold as that sounds.
“Danny Walker has had a really good year, the Warrington boys have played really well and did so against Leeds (in the Super League semi-final).
“Danny handled it tremendously. It’s one of those tough phone calls you’ve got to make, but my respect for him has gone up a couple of levels.”
