Paul Anderson names 27-man England Knights squad

England Knights head coach Paul Anderson has named a 27-man England Knights performance squad.

Nine Super League clubs are being represented, with eight players included in the Knights set up for the first time.

Discussions are underway for future fixtures ahead of the Rugby League World Cup for England Knights. The Knights players will meet three times this summer.

The Knights played one game in 2021 against Jamaica, claiming a 56-4 victory in Castleford.

St Helens winger Jon Bennison has earned his first call-up after impressing so far in 2021. Wigan’s Matt Nicholson and Brad O’Neill have also been named.

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England Knights head coach Anderson said: “Most of these players have come through the England Pathways programme, which is all about investing in the future of England Rugby League. Our job is to prepare our future full internationals for the next step – the senior international team.

“The Knights is about developing talent, preparing well and competing hard. With that in mind, we want as many as possible to come through our talent pathway and force themselves in contention for England selections, and ultimately win world cups.””

Matt Ashton (Warrington Wolves), Jon Bennison* (St Helens), Jack Broadbent (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Brown* (Hull FC), Matt English (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Sam Halsall, Ethan Havard (both Wigan Warriors), Tom Holroyd (both Leeds Rhinos), Jordan Lane (Hull FC), Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten* (both Hull KR), Ellis Longstaff (Warrington Wolves), James McDonnell, Matt Nicholson*, Brad O’Neill*, Oliver Partington (all Wigan Warriors), Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), Harry Smith, Morgan