McDermott: Connor Back in England Squad

0:00On April 23rd, England's new rugby league head coach, Brian McDermott, is opening the door for Man of Steel winner, Jay Conner, to return to the national. Squad ahead of this Autumn's World Cup. The 31-year-old leads Ryan O's half-back, a real game-breaker in McDermott's eyes, got snubbed from last year's Ashes series against Australia. That squad under Sean Wayne lost 3-0, and Wayne caught leaving Conner out an easy call, ignoring his awards and focusing on form alone. Wayne stepped down in January, paving the way for McDermott, his former leads boss, to take the reins part-time until the tournament wraps. McDermott shut down talk about Conner's so-called temperament issues, calling the backlash unfair and praising him as a fantastic talent. Everyone respects on the field. Fans have mixed feelings on Conner, but the coach wants skills over drama. Now working as an assistant with the goal coach Titans in Australia, the 56-year-old McDermott brings a trophy cabinet full of super league. Wins from his leads days, he's eyeing the full-time gig past the World Cup and beat out names

1:04like Sam Burgess for the job. England kicks off against Tonga in Perth on October 17th, then faces France and Papua New Guinea down under. With McDermott calling shots, expect Conner to light it up if he makes the cut.