New faces in England squad for France clash – Total Rugby League

WIGAN’s Brad O’Neill (pictured), St Helens prop George Delaney and Hull KR forward Elliot Minchella are among the new faces in a 20-man England squad for Saturday’s mid-season international against France, in Toulouse.
Manager Shaun Wane has also called up Castleford center Sam Wood, Huddersfield forward Oliver Wilson and Leeds playmaker James McDonnell.
O’Neill, 21, has been increasingly influential for Wigan in recent seasons, helping the Warriors win all four available trophies – the Leaders’ Shield, the Super League title, the World Club Challenge and the Challenge cup
Former Leeds, Sheffield and Bradford player Minchella, 28, also caught the eye of Wane, helping Hull KR to both the Challenge Cup final and the Super play-offs League from last season.
Rising star Delaney, 20, McDonnell, a 24-year-old Wigan product, and former Bradford player Wilson, 24, came through the England Pathways programme.
McDonnell and Wilson appeared when England’s Academy team beat Australia Schoolboys in 2018, while McDonnell and Delaney represented England Knights against Scotland in 2022.
Wood, 26, started out at Huddersfield and had two years at Hull JR before moving to Castleford ahead of this season.
Wane said: “I am pleased with the squad we have assembled and there is a strong balance between some more experienced international players and some newer faces.
“All the new players that have come into the squad have impressed me with their performances in the Betfred Super League this season and have earned their place in this England squad.
“Having traveled to face France in 2021 (England won 30-10 in Perpignan), we know they will give us a stern test, which is exactly what we need ahead of the two-match series against Samoa this autumn. “
Both the England men’s and women’s teams meet France on Saturday as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of playing in the republic.
Both matches will be broadcast live from Stade Ernest Wallon on Super League+, Rugby League’s global direct-to-consumer streaming service.
Kick off times are 14:30 BST (women) and 17:00 BST (men).
SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices and connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).
England Men’s Squad: Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Tyler Dupree (Wigan Warriors), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Matty Lees ( St. Helens), Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten (both Hull KR), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Matty Nicholson (Warrington Wolves), Brad O’Neill, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson (all Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield Giants), Sam Wood (Castleford Tigers).