HUGO SAVALA, Max King and Ben Talty have been named in England’s squad for the World Cup.
But there won’t be a single player from new Super League champions Wakefield Trinity, with Tom Johnstone, Mike McMeeken and Caleb Hamlin-Uele all missing out through injury.
Since being appointed coach in April, Brian McDermott has made clear that he is willing to select heritage players in order to bolster their World Cup chances.
And while Canterbury Bulldogs prop King, 29, was born in Huddersfield before moving to Australia as a child, Savala and Talty were born and bred in New South Wales.
Sydney Roosters halfback or centre Savala (above), 24 and a new NRL champion, has an English mother, while Brisbane Broncos prop Talty, 27, qualifies through grandparents.
That uncapped trio, and fellow heritage players Victor Radley and AJ Brimson, are among a ten-strong NRL contingent.
There is also centre Herbie Farnworth, winger Dom Young, and forwards Morgan Knowles, Kai Pearce-Paul and Morgan Smithies.
England’s squad announcement confirms that Jake Connor has been left out despite another impressive season with Leeds Rhinos.
Instead, Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis has made the cut alongside captain George Williams and Harry Smith, the three halfbacks chosen by McDermott’s predecessor Shaun Wane for last autumn’s Ashes series whitewash by Australia.
Jack Welsby will compete with Brimson at fullback while this year’s Man of Steel, Brad O’Neill, has been chosen at hooker with Jez Litten.
Centres Jake Wardle and Ash Handley have missed out through injury, allowing Zach Eckersley to receive a first squad call-up in the backs alongside returning winger Matty Ashton.
In the middle Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba and Sam Walters complete a seven-strong Wigan Warriors contingent, with Mikolaj Oledzki another unavailable due to injury.
Loose-forward Ben Currie is the only survivor from the side which lost the final of the last World Cup in Australia, to the Kangaroos, nine years ago.
England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
