Mikey Lewis, Harry Smith, John Bateman and Matty Ashton on longlist for men's 2023 IRL Golden Boot; Georgia Roche and Amy Hardcastle in running for women's award; candidates whittled down later in November, with winners announced in December
Saturday 18 November 2023 16:08, UK
Four England men's players and two from the women's side have been placed on the longlist for the 2023 IRL Golden Boot, the award given to the best rugby league player in internationals each year.
Harry Smith, Mikey Lewis - who recently penned a new five-year contract with Hull Kingston Rovers - John Bateman and Matty Ashton are nominated for the men's award following the 3-0 series win over Tonga.
Compatriots Georgia Roche and Amy Hardcastle, who helped England rout Wales 60-0 earlier this month, are contenders for the women's award.
Shortlists for the men's, women's and wheelchair 2023 IRL Golden Boot awards will be announced after the second wheelchair international between last year's World Cup winners England and runners-up France in Carcassonne on November 25, with the winners revealed in December.
Last year's winners were Joey Manu of New Zealand (men's), fellow Kiwi Raecene McGregor (women's) and England's Sebastien Bechara (wheelchair).