World Cup blow for Leeds Rhinos' Mikolaj Oledzki: England squad named for opener v Samoa

By Peter Smith
Published 13th Oct 2022, 12:22 BST
Updated 13th Oct 2022, 12:22 BST
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No Leeds Rhinos players will be involved in England’s World Cup opener against Samoa at Newcastle’s St James’s Park on Saturday.

Coach Shaun Wane has named an initial 19 without prop Mikolaj Oledzki, who is the only Rhinos man in England’s 24-strong World Cup squad.

Oledzki defied a shoulder injury to play in Leeds’ Betfred Super League semi-final win at Wigan Warriors and the Grand Final defeat by St Helens, but did not feature in England’s warm-up game against Fiji last week.

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Hull KR’s veteran former Leeds star Ryan Hall has also been omitted, with Wane set to prefer 21-year-old Newcastle Knights winger Dom Young, but ex-Rhinos captain Kallum Watkins is included.

Mikolaj Oledzki talks to England coach Shaun Wane, who was on crutches following knee surgery, at training. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.Mikolaj Oledzki talks to England coach Shaun Wane, who was on crutches following knee surgery, at training. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.
Mikolaj Oledzki talks to England coach Shaun Wane, who was on crutches following knee surgery, at training. Picture by Paul Currie/SWpix.com.

Skipper Sam Tomkins will enjoy his first taste of Rugby League World Cup action since the semi-final defeat by New Zealand at Wembley in 2013.

The Catalans Dragons full-back is one of five players with at least 20 England Test caps to their name, alongside Tom Burgess (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Chris Hill (Huddersfield Giants), Watkins (Salford Red Devils) and Elliott Whitehead (Canberra Raiders).