Whitehead named in England World Cup squad

Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley, Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth and Knights winger Dom Young are set to make their England debuts in next weekend's World Cup warm-up clash against Fiji.

England coach Shaun Wane has announced a 24-man squad, with Young, Radley and Farnworth among six NRL players chosen to represent the host nation - along with Tom Burgess, Luke Thompson and Elliott Whitehead.

Burgess is one of four players in his third World Cup, while the South Sydney prop and Whitehead, the Raiders second-rower and captain, played in the 2017 final against Australia at Suncorp Stadium.

Thompson has also been named but there was no room for his 2023 Bulldogs team-mate Ryan Sutton, Wests Tigers halfback Jackson Hastings or centre Oliver Gildart.

Former Warriors fullback Sam Tomkins, who now plays for Catalans, will captain England and will lead a squad which includes five members of the St Helens team who won last weekend's Super League grand final.

Ex-Raiders halfback George Williams and second-rower John Bateman are also in the squad.

However, Bateman will miss the opening match against Samoa on October 15 at St James Park, as well as next weekend's World Cup warm-up clash with Fiji, due to suspension.

Salford Red Devils centre Kallum Watkins, Huddersfield Giants prop Chris Hill and Hull KR winger Ryan Hall, who has the opportunity of adding to his record tally of 35 England tries, are also playing their third World Cup.

Radley, Young, Farnworth, Wigan forward Kai Pearce-Paul and Salford hooker Andy Ackers and halfback Marc Sneyd are the uncapped players in the squad.

Radley qualifies for England through his father’s Sheffield roots, while 21-year-old Young moved to Newcastle from Huddersfield last year and Farnworth joined the Broncos as a teenager.

“To be named in the squad is an absolute dream," said Farnworth, who has been sidelined with a biceps injury since round 12. "I've been speaking to Waney quite a lot through the year and telling how much it means to me.

“It feels kind of weird that it’s here now but I can’t wait to play on English soil again. I’ve not played in front of my family for a long, long time, I think I was about 16 or 17 the last time, so that will be pretty cool.”

Wane said Radley would make his first appearance for England at Salford next weekend after turning his back on the opportunity to play for NSW and Australia. 

“He WhatsApped me to put his name forward and then rang me which makes a difference,” Wane said of Radley.

“He was very emotional. The conversation was really one-sided, about his desire to play for England. He’s very committed and proud of where his dad is from.

“He’s also a good player, tough and his main attribute is that he competes for everything.”

Wane has selected three English players now based in France with the Catalans Dragons as Mike McMeeken and Michael McIlorum join Tomkins in the squad.

“After so many conversations with the players over the last two years, it’s exciting for all of us to be getting ready to go into camp for a home World Cup," Wane said.

“The mood of the players and staff is fantastic. The opening match against Samoa in Newcastle is going to be a massive occasion, and I know English rugby league fans and the sporting public will get behind us.”

England squad:

Sam Tomkins (Catalans Dragons) - Captain
Andy Ackers (Salford Red Devils)
Joe Batchelor (St Helens)
John Bateman (Wigan Warriors)
Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Mike Cooper (Wigan Warriors)
Herbie Farnworth (Brisbane Broncos)
Ryan Hall (Hull KR)
Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants)
Morgan Knowles (St Helens)
Matty Lees (St Helens)
Tommy Makinson (St Helens)
Michael McIlorum (Catalans Dragons)
Mike McMeeken (Catalans Dragons)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos)
Kai Pearce-Paul (Wigan Warriors)
Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Marc Sneyd (Salford Red Devils)
Luke Thompson (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Kallum Watkins (Salford Red Devils)
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)