Three Rhinos players in the Ashes squad – but Man of Steel misses out

Three Leeds Rhinos players have been named in England's squad for this month's Ashes Tests against Australia.

- by Peter Smith

As widely predicted, Man of Steel Jake Connor has been omitted, but centre Harry Newman, prop Mikolaj Oledzki and back-rower Kallum Watkins are included.

England boss Shaun Wane failed to include Connor in the training squad when that was named in June and has now left the scrumhalf out of his 24 for the Tests.

George Williams, Harry Smith and Hull KR's Grand Final man-of-the-match Mikey Lewis are the selected halfbacks.

Veteran Watkins has been recalled 13 years after his first England cap. He last featured for his country at the 2022 World Cup. Oledzki is also back in contention for the first time in three years, while Newman has been a regular in the England camp for the past two campaigns. The squad includes Hull KR's three try scorers from the win against Wigan Warriors at Old Trafford on Saturday, winger Joe Burgess alongside Lewis and hooker Jez Litten.