Shaun lays down the law
ENGLAND COACH WARNS HIS PLAYERS TO TOE THE LINE
ENGLAND head coach Shaun Wane has warned players he is watching them on and off the field inWorld Cup year – and they will pay for any slip-ups.
His first 30-man training squad of the season has seven uncapped players, including rising Wigan Warriors star Kai Pearce-Paul, St Helens youngster Lewis Dodd and Leeds Rhinos centre Harry Newman.
Hull KR winger Ryan Hall – England’s record try-scorer continually overlooked since Wane took over two years ago – is recalled at 34.
It offers an early glimpse into the side the national coach hopes will end 50 years of World Cup hurt for England.
But Wane has reminded everyone plenty can happen between now and when the delayed tournament kicks-off in October – especially if discipline drops.
“I speak to lots of people, always the head coach or people who know certain players,” he said. “I’ll always ask, ‘Is he a good bloke, what’s he like off the field?’
“I want good people in camp. We’re spending seven weeks there so I need to know they are the right people.
“I’m different from coaches they have had in the past and the players will be a little shocked about how we’re behaving in camp. So they need to be really respectful, really well-behaved and I keep a check on that throughout the year.”
With the RFL’s much-publicised clampdown on foul play this season, he is also telling players how they need to stay squeaky clean on the field. Hull FC captain Luke Gale is serving a five-game ban although Wane said the scrum-half, who played for England in the 2017 World Cup final, had not made his squad anyway. “You look at how many players have been suspended and we need to make sure everything is good for the World Cup,” said Wane.
“I’m speaking to the players regularly about discipline. I don’t want to get against Samoa in Newcastle and we can’t get through a set without giving away a penalty. I want our discipline to be absolutely spot-on. “There’s certain things an England player must do in terms of efforts – and it’s probably different to many clubs. “I want and demand our players to show that week in, week out.”
ENGLAND SQUAD:
J Bateman, D Clark, M Cooper, B Currie, T Davies, L Dodd, N Evalds, L Farrell, R Hall, Z Hardaker, M Knowles, K Leeming, M Lees, J Lomax, R Lyne, J McGillvary, P McShane, T Makinson, L Marshall, H Newman, M Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, M Percival, S Ratchford, D Sarginson, S Tomkins, A Walmsley, J Wardle, J Welsby, G Williams.