England record try-scorer Ryan Hall left out of World Cup squad

England’s record try-scorer Ryan Hall is left out in favour of exciting winger Dom Young once again as Shaun Wane names his 19-man squad for Rugby League World Cup quarter-final clash against Papua New Guinea

  • England record try-scorer Ryan Hall is left out of World Cup quarter-final squad
  • The veteran has missed out on a place to 21-year-old Dom Young for the clash
  • The 34-year-old has scored 39 tries in just 40 appearances for his country
  • England will face Papua New Guinea at Wigan’s DW Stadium on Saturday night

England’s record try-scorer Ryan Hall has been left out of Shaun Wane’s 19-man squad for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final with Papua New Guinea.

The 34-year-old crossed four times in the group game wins over France and Greece, taking his overall try tally for his country to 39 from 40 games.

However, coach Wane showed his hand at the start of the tournament when he left Hall out of England’s opening rout of Samoa.

England’s record try-scorer Ryan Hall has been left out of the World Cup quarter-final squad

Head coach Shaun Wane has named his 19-man squad ahead of Papua New Guinea clash

And he has again preferred Dom Young – who has scored eight tries in three games – and Tommy Makinson on the wings for the last-eight tie at Wigan’s DW Stadium.

Young, whose lethal finishing has drawn comparisons with Martin Offiah, was preferred to Hall for England’s opening match against Samoa and has done enough to keep his spot.

Tommy Makinson, who deputised at full-back for a rested Sam Tomkins in the 94-4 win over Greece, switches to the other wing for the start of the knockout stages.

Dom Young – who has scored eight tries in three games – is the preferred option for England

As well as Hall, forwards Andy Ackers, Joe Batchelor, Mikolaj Oledzki and Luke Thompson have all been omitted from England’s original 24-man squad.

Captain Sam Tomkins returns after being rested last week against Greece, along with centres Kallum Watkins and Herbie Farnworth and forwards Michael McIlorum and Elliott Whitehead.

Wane has kept goal-kicking scrum-half Marc Sneyd in his 19 following his 30-point haul, man-of-the-match performance against the Greeks but is likely to pair Jack Welsby with a rejuvenated George Williams at half-back.

Marc Sneyd (pictured) keeps his place in the squad following his 30-point haul against Greece

Welsby is equally at home at full-back or centre but has been pleased with his fledging partnership with Williams.

‘Against the All Stars we did pretty well and we hit it off in the game against Samoa,’ he said.

‘I love playing with George. He’s very instinctive, pretty similar to myself.

England’s 19-man squad 

England squad: S Tomkins (Catalans, capt), T Makinson (St Helens), K Watkins (Salford), H Farnworth (Brisbane), J Welsby (St Helens), G Williams (Warrington), T Burgess (South Sydney), M McIlorum (Catalans), E Whitehead (Canberra), J Bateman (Wigan), V Radley (Sydney Roosters), D Young (Newcastle), M Knowles (St Helens), M Lees (St Helens), M Cooper (Wigan), C Hill (Huddersfield), M McMeeken (Catalans), M Sneyd (Salford), K Pearce-Paul (Wigan)

‘It doesn’t really matter where you play on the field. If I’m at six or anywhere else, it doesn’t really matter, he’ll still find me and I’ll find him.

‘I said all along, since I started at Saints, I don’t care where I play, it’s just about puling on a shirt.

‘It’s an even bigger privilege to do it for England so I’m happy to fit in anywhere.’

England, who have racked up 196 points in their three group games, are expected to face their sternest challenge so far.

Wane has spoken of the physical challenge his players can expect and Welsby says he is ready for it.

‘I’ve played against PNG blokes like David Mead before so I know what to expect but it doesn’t get much bigger than a World Cup quarter-final,’ he said. ‘It’s pretty big and pretty special.

‘This is a stepping stone and we want to go on and win it.’

The match will see Sydney Roosters loose forward Victor Radley go up against his long-time friend and team-mate Lachlan Lam, the Papua New Guinea half-back.

They were born just 11 days apart in March 1998, grew up in the same area of Sydney and began playing together 17 years ago for the Clovelly Crocodiles before graduating to the Roosters.

‘I played with Lammy since I was seven years old and his dad Adrian is a massive part of my life and my career,’ said Radley.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever played against Lam but they’re a good side. It will be a tough game and it will be good to play against them.’




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