Paul Anderson's has announced his 25-man England Knights squad
Every English-based Betfred Super League club is represented in the re-formed England Knights squad after they last played a game in 2013
They return as part of the newly formed England Performance Unit (EPU) led by Rugby Director, Kevin Sinfield, that aims to develop more world-class England players for all senior squads for the 2021 and 2025 Rugby League World Cups.
Also included in the Knights squad is Leeds Rhinos full-back, Jack Walker, who was the youngest player to win a Betfred Super League Grand Final in 2017 and has impressed at full back for the defending champions this year.
Walker is selected alongside team mate and fellow Grand Finalist Liam Sutcliffe. Castleford centre Greg Minikin, who played a key part in the Tigers' impressive 2017 season, in which they lifted the League Leaders’ Shield and reached the Grand Final, is also named alongside his 19-year-old team mate Jake Trueman who burst onto the season with a debut hat-trick against Wigan last year.
Full England Knights 25-man squad:
Greg Minikin (Castleford Tigers), Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers), Kruise Leeming (Huddersfield Giants), Josh Bowden (Hull FC), Jake Connor (Hull FC), Dean Hadley (Hull FC), Masimbaashe Matongo (Hull FC), Jamie Shaul (Hull FC), Chris Atkin (Hull KR), Liam Sutcliffe (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos), James Cunningham (London Broncos), Joe Burgess (Wigan Warriors), Tom Davies (Wigan Warriors), Oliver Gildart (Wigan Warriors), Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors), Ryan Sutton (Wigan Warriors), Niall Evalds (Salford Red Devils), Danny Richardson (St Helens), Luke Thompson (St Helens), Reece Lyne (Wakefield Trinity), Jack Hughes (Warrington Wolves), Tom Gilmore (Widnes Vikings), Danny Walker (Widnes Vikings), Matt Whitley (Widnes Vikings)
Wigan Warriors and Hull FC, who recently played the first ever Super League game in Australia, each have five players selected in the Knights' Performance squad, including 2017 Betfred Super League Young Player of the Year, Oliver Gildart and 25-year-old Hull FC full-back Jamie Shaul.
On the squad selection, England Knights Head Coach, Paul Anderson, said: "The return of England Knights is hugely beneficial for the future of England Rugby League and developing players to a high standard for International Series’ and the 2021 and 2025 Rugby League World Cups.
"The sessions proved valuable for the Elite squad in 2017 and involving the Knights Performance Squad can only improve England’s chances in future international tournaments."
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