Salford Red Devils stars Niall Evalds and Josh Jones have been named in the England Knights Performance Squad to prepare for this autumn’s historic international fixture against Jamaica at the Emerald Headingley Stadium.
The revised 37-man squad includes 19 players who experienced last autumn’s two-match trip to Papua New Guinea. They will meet in Leeds in August and September before the Knights head coach Paul Anderson trims the squad to prepare for the fixture against Jamaica on Sunday October 20.
“It’s important that we revise the Knights squad on the basis of 2019 form, and it’s good that the guys now have the focus of the Jamaica game,” said Anderson, who has combined his role this year with a position as Warrington’s Academy Head Coach, and will again be assisted by Paul Sculthorpe in his role as the RFL’s England Pathways Coach.
The Red Devils Duo have impressed in 2019 and have helped Salford climb to within two point of the Betfred Super League play-off positions.
Salford Red Devils head coach Ian Watson, who was recently named as a Great Britain assistant coach, said: “This is a great reward for their performances over the season.
“You can see in recent weeks, that Niall’s lifted his game and put in a great performance against Warrington. Some of his goal-line defence has been outstanding.
“I also think it’s a reward for the other guys they’re playing with as well, recognising their strengths, and it will hopefully lead to further selections.”
Salford will next be in action against Catalans Dragons on Sunday. Tickets are available HERE.
England Knights Performance Squad (all players listed with professional and community clubs):
Alex Foster (Castleford Tigers, Wetherby Bulldogs)
Mike McMeeken (Castleford Tigers, Staines Titans)
Greg Minikin (Castleford Tigers, Wetherby Bulldogs)
Matt Whitley (Catalans Dragons, Bold Miners)
Matt English (Huddersfield Giants, Stanley Rangers)
Kruise Leeming (Huddersfield Giants, Siddal)
Darnell McIntosh (Huddersfield Giants, Dewsbury Celtic)
Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield Giants, Greetland All Rounders)
Chris Atkin (Hull KR, Liverpool John Moores University)
Robbie Mulhern (Hull KR, Normanton Knights)
Josh Bowden (Hull FC, Hull Wyke)
Masimbaashe Matongo (Hull FC, West Hull)
Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos, Oulton Raiders)
Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos, Newsome Panthers)
Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)
Cameron Smith (Leeds Rhinos, Lock Lane)
Liam Sutcliffe (Leeds Rhinos, Hunslet Warriors)
Jack Walker (Leeds Rhinos, East Leeds)
Jordan Abdull (London Broncos, Skirlaugh)
Rob Butler (London Broncos, Medway Dragons)
Niall Evalds (Salford Red Devils, Siddal)
Josh Jones (Salford Red Devils, Blackbrook Royals)
Jack Ashworth (St Helens, Rochdale Mayfield)
Matt Lees (St Helens, Rochdale Mayfield)
Danny Richardson (St Helens, Halton Farnworth Hornets)
James Batchelor (Wakefield Trinity, Crigglestone All Blacks)
Toby King (Warrington Wolves, Meltham All Blacks)
Tom Lineham (Warrington Wolves, York RUFC)
Dec Patton (Warrington Wolves, Latchford Giants)
Joe Philbin (Warrington Wolves, Culcheth Eagles)
Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves, Rylands Sharks)
Joe Bullock (Wigan Warriors, Blackpool Scorpions)
Tom Davies (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Joe Greenwood (Wigan Warriors, Saddleworth Rangers)
Liam Marshall (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Dom Manfredi (Wigan Warriors, Leigh Miners)
Sam Powell (Wigan Warriors, Wigan St Patricks)
Read further etails of Jamaica fixture HERE.
