Mikey Lewis has been left out of England's matchday squad for their Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga, meaning he will not feature in Saturday's game in Perth and was not even named among the three non-playing reserves.
That is the key selection call from England's first match of the tournament. Lewis had pipped 2025 Super League Man Of Steel Jake Connor to a place in England's squad, but Shaun Wane's side have gone in a different direction for the opening game of their Group B-C campaign.
Who England selected instead
England's half-back pairing for the match is Harry Smith and George Williams. At full-back, AJ Brimson was chosen ahead of Jack Welsby, underlining a selection that leans on a mix of established options and heritage-qualified players.
Brimson, who is Brisbane-born, made his England debut against Australia in last year's Ashes series, and his inclusion adds another layer to a squad that already reflects Brian McDermott's preference for players who qualify through family background.
England's Group B-C is a combined pool of six teams, with the top two going through to the semi-finals early next month. That means the opener against Tonga carries real importance, even at this early stage, because the result will help shape England's route through the tournament.
What happens next
England play Tonga on Saturday at 10:05 BST, before facing France in Perth on 24 October and Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October. The opening squad decision does not end Lewis's World Cup, but it does show the level of competition for places in England's spine and the immediate trust Wane has placed in his chosen starting combination.
