Anderson names the England Academy squad to face France on July 2

Paul Anderson, the RFL’s England Pathways boss, has named a 21-man squad for the match against France at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday, July 2 (KO, 7.30pm).

Among the best of England’s emerging talent are several players with Super League experience such as Hull FC’s Jack Charles, Wigan Warriors’ Jack Farrimond and Warrington Wolves pair Cai Taylor-Wray and Arron Lindop – the latter scorer in Perpignan against Catalans Dragons and at home in the recent 18-19 defeat by Wigan Warriors.

All but one of the 21 players are from Super League clubs, the exception being Wakefield Trinity’s promising winger Harvey Smith, who made his first team debut against Hull KR in Trinity’s last Super League game League from the 2023 season.

Paul Anderson, Head of Pathways England, said:

“I have watched the progress of the players in the Academy, Reserves and Super League competitions since the start of the season and I am very excited about what this squad can achieve.

“In preparation for this game we will be exposing the players to the kind of environment they might one day experience at senior international level, so before the game the squad will gather at Leeds Beckett University where the facilities are excellent and which is a fantastic base for the trail programme.

“The players we have selected are a credit not only to their professional clubs but also to their former community clubs. They wouldn’t be where they are without the likes of the Beverley Braves and Halton Hornets.”

England v France Academy takes place at Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington on Tuesday 2nd July, 7.30pm. Entry is £5 (£2 concessions). The match will be broadcast live on RFL’s YouTube channel from 19.15.

England Academy Squad (including players’ professional and community clubs):

Presley Cassell (Leeds Rhinos/West Bowling), Jack Charles (Hull FC/Beverley Braves), Owen Dagnall (St Helens/Halton Hornets), Jake Davies (St Helens/Halton Hornets), Jack Farrimond (Wigan Warriors/Leigh Miners), William Hutchinson (Hull FC/Skirlaugh), Billy Keeley (St Helens/West Bank Bears), Taylor Kerr (Wigan Warriors/Wigan St Jude’s), Arron Lindop (Warrington Wolves/Latchford Giants), Nathan Lowe (Wigan Warriors/Wigan St Jude’s ) ), Kian McDermott (Wigan Warriors/Wigan St Patrick’s), Tom McKinney (Warrington Wolves/Hensingham), Lukas Mason (Wigan Warriors/Siddal), Jayemm Oladipupo (Leeds Rhinos/West Bowling), Joe Phillips (Leeds Rhinos/Siddal) , Marcus Qareqare (Leeds Rhinos/Lock Lane), Harry Robertson (St Helens/Halton Hornets), Harvey Smith (Wakefield Trinity/East Leeds), Archie Sykes (Huddersfield Giants/Greetland Allrounders), Cai Taylor-Wray (Warrington Wolves/East Leeds) ), George Whitby (St Helens/Blackbrook).

Personal (England, unless specified):

Coaches: Paul Anderson; Shane Eccles (Wigan Warriors); Rob Nickolay (Castleford Tigers)

PA: Matt Halkier

Performance: Cameron Owen; Sam Wild

Medical: Matt Abbott; Charlie Wilton (Salford Red Devils); Karl Blenkin (Castleford Tigers)

Team Manager: James Stephenson

Logistic: Josh Riding (Doncaster RLFC)

Welfare: Steve Hardisty (RL Cares)

Doctor: Dan Tadmor (Leeds Rhinos)

Nutrition: Sarah Chantler