Combined Nations All Stars suffer huge blow as Super League stars withdraw from England game

The Combined Nations are set to be without a stack of Super League's top stars when they take on England this Saturday. Rugby League Live understands coach Ellery Hanley has been ringing around this weekend to ensure he will have a full squad at his disposal by the time they take on Shaun Wane's men at the weekend.

Among the omissions are thought to be Jai Field arguably Super League's best player this season. The fullback is believed to have withdrawn and Bevan French will not play either after bot being named in the initial squad.

All of Huddersfield Giants' players are unlikely to feature too, with Tui Lolohea, Chris McQueen, Luke Yates and Theo Fages all ruled out. Ricky Leutele and Danny Levi are also doubtful.

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With Wane's England squad set to feature multiple St Helens stars, they will not be required to provide their overseas players for the All Stars. Catalans halfback Mitchell Pearce is also expected to be absent. Other absentees are likely, meaning the All Stars squad will be significantly weaker than many may have expected.

Hanley named an initial 29-man squad last month. But of those included, Field, Leutele, Lolohea, Pearce and Yates are all understood to have withdrawn.

Jake Connor, Tom Johnstone, and Carlos Tuimavave have all suffered injuries since being named in the squad while Jake Mamo is currently in Australia on compassionate grounds. That means Hanley only has 20 players from his initial squad to choose from before any further pullouts.

Salford Red Devils head coach Paul Rowley revealed last week that fullback Ryan Brierley had been put on standby after receiving a call from Hanley asking about his