ENGLAND have narrowed down their training squad to twelve players, with less than four months remaining until the Wheelchair World Cup begins.
A squad of 16 have been training in monthly camps but Halifax Panthers’ Jordan Holt, Jason Owen of London Rosters, plus Sheffield Eagles pair Stephen Reilly and Joe Wink-Simmonds have now been trimmed by head coach Tom Coyd.
Halifax are still represented by Jack Brown, Rob Hawkins and Finlay O’Neill, while Leeds Rhinos (Josh Butler, Nathan Collins, Tristan Norfolk) and London (Mason Billington, Joe Coyd, Lewis King) also have three players in the squad.
Sheffield’s Luis Domingos and Chris Haynes have made the latest cut alongside Hull FC’s uncapped Josh Edwards.
Seb Bechara, who won the Golden Boot award after England’s triumph in the last World Cup in 2022, remains in the cold while the captain of that side, Tom Halliwell, had successful shoulder surgery earlier this year in a bid to make the tournament.
Coyd said: “We have selected a group of players who are in excellent form and competing at the highest level on a weekly basis in the Super League and at our training camps.
“They are a fantastic fit for the way we want to play and, between them, bring a range of skills and strengths that we believe can combine into an exciting and relentless team.
“This squad has also made a real commitment to investing in their relationships with one another, which will be vital as we continue to build our togetherness towards the World Cup.
“I also want to acknowledge Jordan Holt, Jason Owen, Stephen Reilly and Joe Wink-Simmonds. While they have missed out on selection at this stage, their contributions to our preparation have been significant, and their development will continue to be supported in partnership with their clubs.”
Coyd, who can take up to twelve players to the World Cup, will hold his next camp at the University of Nottingham this weekend (July 11-12).
England are also celebrating a partnership with Vulcan, part of equipment supplier RMA Sport, who will provide custom-fit wheelchairs for each member of the squad.
“The level of service they have provided has been outstanding and their support is hugely important, as it will help ensure each player has the equipment they need to perform at their very best,” said Coyd.
His side begin their World Cup defence against Wales on Friday, October 30 in Wollongong, where the entire eight-team tournament will be held.