NRL-bound forwards named in England train-on squad
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NRL-bound forwards Morgan Gannon and Morgan Knowles have been named in an England train-on squad of Super League players to prepare for the end-of-season Ashes series.
Gannon has signed a three-year deal with the Warriors, while Knowles is set to re-unite with former St Helens coach Kristian Woolf at the Dolphins for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.
England coach Shaun Wane has invited 32 players from Super League club to an off-feet squad session on Tuesday, including Gannon, who will join the Warriors next season from Leeds.
The 21-year-old Yorkshire-born son of former Balmain prop Jim Gannon, who settled in England after stints with Huddersfield, Hull KR, Widnes and Halifax, was one of six uncapped players in Wane's squad.
The others are Hull KR’s James Batchelor, Harry Robertson and George Delaney of St Helens, Leigh's Owen Trout and Rhinos forward James McDonnell, who has switched international allegiance after representing Ireland in the 2022 World Cup.
The squad includes Knowles, former Bulldogs prop Luke Thompson (Wigan) and ex-Raiders halfback George Williams (Warrington), who has been linked with a return to the NRL.
Superstar St Helens fullback Jack Welsby and Warrington backs Matty Ashton and Danny Walker are also included even though all three are currently long-term injury absentees.
"It’s been hard finding chances for the players to get together in such a busy Super League season, so it will be good for them to spend some time together thinking about the challenges ahead," Wane said.
“We’ve built a tight England spirit over the three years since the World Cup campaign, with successful home series against Tonga and Samoa, and staying in touch with all the players as I do, I know there’s a hunger and desperation to be involved against Australia at the end of this year.
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An historic rivalry resumes!
“Bringing in some new faces who haven’t played for me before will show the competition for places that we have, especially when you add in the players, we have available in the NRL - and I’ve always said it’s up to the players to show me what they can do with their performances on a weekly basis.”
England train-on squad (Super League players only)
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), James Batchelor (Hull KR), Daryl Clark (St Helens), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Matty Lees (St Helens), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Robbie Mulhern (Leigh Leopards), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors), Harry Robertson (St Helens), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Owen Trout (Leigh Leopards), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves).
The Ashes Series returns this autumn – make sure you’re at Wembley on Saturday 25 October to experience England and Australia's eagerly anticipated First Test. Tickets are available here.
This is the only remaining chance for sports fans to see the return of the Rugby League Ashes after a 22-year absence, with the Second Test at the new Everton Stadium on Saturday November 1 and the Third Test at Headingley on Saturday November 8 SOLD OUT.
