Jake Connor missed out on an England squad place for last year's Ashes, for which Mikey Lewis was selected

Jake Connor has been left out of England's Rugby League World Cup squad, with Mikey Lewis beating him to a place.

Leeds Rhinos half-back Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel, had been expected to make the final cut after being talked up by England head coach Brian McDermott and enjoying a strong domestic season.

The 31-year-old provided more assists - 43 - than anyone else during the Super League campaign just completed.

But Hull KR's Lewis, who endured an inconsistent season, has done enough to convince McDermott that he should join captain George Williams, the Warrington stand-off, and Wigan's Harry Smith as half-back options.

For Connor, it is another England disappointment to follow his controversial omission from the squad for last autumn's home series against Australia.

England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Brad O'Neill (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

Hawkins among five World Cup winners in England squad

There has been much debate about which half-backs would make the England squad after McDermott said last month that he would probably take three to the World Cup, and that captain Williams - who is heading to Australia to join NRL club Dolphins after the tournament - would be one of them.

But McDermott said in April, following his appointment as head coach, that the Leeds half-back was part of his World Cup plans.

McDermott, at the time, described Connor as a "game-breaker" and played down concerns over his temperament, saying: "I think the rhetoric and the narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair."

When he replaced Shaun Wane as head coach, McDermott indicated that he was keen to use heritage players - those who qualify for England through family background - to ensure the strongest possible squad.

He has called up two Australia-born players for the first time - versatile back Hugo Savala, part of Sydney Roosters' NRL Grand Final-winning squad - and Brisbane Broncos' front-rower Ben Talty. Bulldogs prop Max King, born in Huddersfield while his Australian father David was a player there, also earns a first call-up. Victor Radley and AJ Brimson complete the Australia-born contingent in the squad.

Grand Final winners Wakefield have no players in the squad, with Tom Johnstone - who won the Rob Burrow man-of-the-match award for his performance in the 23-10 victory over Warrington - needing time to recover from a series of injury problems. Forward Caleb Hamlin-Uele has also been omitted, with McDermott indicating he is also injured.

Finalists Warrington have three players in the squad - Matty Ashton and Ben Currie joining captain Williams - while Wigan have seven, including Man of Steel winner Brad O'Neill and uncapped centre Zach Eckersley.

Reece Walsh impressed during last autumn's Ashes but has had a testing club season with Brisbane Broncos

Reece Walsh has secured a place in Australia's men's World Cup squad, which was also named on Monday - although head coach Kevin Walters has refused to confirm whether he will be first-choice full-back.

Walsh has struggled to hit the heights of last season, when he inspired Brisbane Broncos to their first NRL Grand Final triumph in 19 years before helping Australia to a 3-0 Test series win over England.

He missed the end of this season to have ankle surgery, but with Penrith's Dylan Edwards ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury, Walsh will vie for the full-back spot with James Tedesco - man of the match as Sydney Roosters beat Newcastle Knights 19-18 in Sunday's NRL Grand Final.

Loose forward Isaah Yeo will delay surgery on a torn pectoral muscle to captain Australia.

Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase - who scored two tries in Sydney's win on Sunday - is not in the squad because of his impending code switch to union with Japanese side Saitama Wild Knights. Second-row forward Angus Crichton is absent for the same reason, as he is joining NSW Waratahs.

Star half-back Nathan Cleary is out of the tournament with a broken and dislocated ankle.

Australia men's squad: Isaah Yeo (captain), Bradman Best, Jack Bostock, Blake Brailey, Pat Carrigan, Lindsay Collins, Reuben Cotter, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, David Fifita, Harry Grant, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Martin, Latrell Mitchell, Mitchell Moses, Cameron Munster, Cameron Murray, Jacob Preston, Kotoni Staggs, James Tedesco, Tom Trbojevic, Sam Walker, Reece Walsh.

Ali Brigginshaw was in the Brisbane side beaten by Sydney Roosters in Sunday's NRLW Grand Final

Ali Brigginshaw has missed out on the chance to go for a fourth World Cup winners' medal after being omitted from Australia's women's squad.

Head coach Jess Skinner said the 36-year-old Brisbane half-back - Australia's captain when they won the tournament in Manchester four years ago - was "upset" to be left out.

"That was one of the hardest phone calls I've had to make as a coach to a player and to talk about her and where she was," Skinner said.

Australia women's squad: Isabelle Kelly (captain), Tarryn Aiken, Kezie Apps, Shaylee Bent, Jaime Chapman, Abbi Church, Quincy Dodd, Millie Elliott, Tiana Penitani Gray, Olivia Higgins, Ellie Johnston, Keilee Joseph, Jocelyn Kelleher, Olivia Kernick, Keeley Nizza, Sariah Paki, Julia Robinson, Jessica Sergis, Jesse Southwell, Simaima Taufa, Sarah Togatuki, Tamika Upton, and Makenzie Weale.