England boss Shaun Wane has named named a bunch of uncapped players and is missing a raft of stars for the World Cup, but his message on Friday was simply: “I’m ready.”
The hosts kick-off their campaign against Samoa at Newcastle’s St James’ Park two weeks tomorrow. Wane today named his 24-man squad with six newcomers including Wigan’s rising talent Kai Pearce-Paul and formidable Sydney Roosters loose forward Victor Radley. But untried Salford hooker Andy Ackers, 28, and scrum-half Marc Sneyd, 31, are perhaps surprise picks having never previously had a look-in at the international scene.
Wane is without injured St Helens trio Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley and Mark Percival as well as Wigan second-row Liam Farrell plus young Leeds talent Harry Newman. It left many believing hopes of ending a 50-year wait for World Cup glory are as slim as ever. But Wane, who’s also recalled veteran Huddersfield prop Chris Hill, insisted: “Can we win the World Cup? Absolutely.
