George Williams has not played since Canberra' NRL match with Melbourne Storm on May 22 and is subject to a fitness check; Man of Steel Paul McShane and Poland-born Mikolaj Oledzki among uncapped players included; Watch England face the Combined Nations live on Sky Sports on Friday June 25
Friday 18 June 2021 10:17, UK
George Williams has been named in England head coach Shaun Wane's provisional 24-man squad for next Friday's mid-season fixture against the Combined Nations All-Stars at Warrington, which is live on Sky Sports.
Williams is currently on his way back to England after securing a release on compassionate grounds from his contract with NRL club Canberra Raiders and Wane will check on his fitness before reducing his squad to 19 ahead of the group going into camp next week.
Williams, who has been linked with moves to Wigan Warriors, Warrington Wolves and Leeds Rhinos along with being subject to an approach from Championship side Newcastle Thunder, made his last appearance for the Raiders against Melbourne Storm on May 22.
Also included is Castleford hooker Paul McShane, the 2020 Betfred Super League Man of Steel who is set to make his England debut at the age of 31, plus several uncapped players.
Winger Ash Handley is joined by his Leeds Rhinos team-mate Mikolaj Oledzki, who has earned a promotion from the England Knights squad and could make history as the first Poland-born player to play international rugby league.
Another Knights graduate, Warrington centre Toby King, is also called up with Morgan Knowles, St Helens' Barrow-born loose forward who represented Wales at the 2017 World Cup but has now switched allegiance to England.
There are also first call-ups for Huddersfield Giants centre Jake Wardle and former Wigan winger Tom Davies, one of two Catalans Dragons players in the squad alongside Sam Tomkins.
Wakefield's Joe Westerman is recalled to the England set-up after an absence of seven years, joining his Trinity team-mate Reece Lyne in the squad. However, No NRL-based players were considered for selection.
"We have a good blend of youth, versatility and experience and I have every confidence in whoever makes the final cut," Wane said.
"I watch every Betfred Super League game, every week, at least once, and all of these players have earned the right to play for England."
Combined Nations head coach Tim Sheens is expected to announce his squad on Sunday evening.
John Bateman, Daryl Clark, Mike Cooper, Ben Currie, Tom Davies, Liam Farrell, Luke Gale, Ash Handley, Toby King, Morgan Knowles, Reece Lyne, Jonny Lomax, Paul McShane, Tommy Makinson, Jermaine McGillvary, Mikolaj Oledzki, Joe Philbin, Stefan Ratchford, Dan Sarginson, Sam Tomkins, Alex Walmsley, Jake Wardle, Joe Westerman, George Williams.
