FIVE Warrington Wolves players have been named in the latest England Knights performance squad.

One of them is a new face, with Josh Thewlis rewarded for some strong form with a spot in the 27-strong squad.

The full-back, who is also eligible to play for Ireland through his grandmother, has scored six tries in nine appearances for The Wire this season.

The other four Wire players included – Danny Walker, Matty Ashton, Connor Wrench and Ellis Longstaff – all featured in the Knights’ win over Jamaica last October, with Walker captaining the side.

The Knights, coached by former Warrington academy head coach Paul Anderson, will be preparing for international competition later this year.

“Most of these players have come through the England Pathways programme, which is all about investing in the future of England Rugby League,” he said.

“Our job is to prepare our future full internationals for the next step – the senior international team.

“The Knights is about developing talent, preparing well and competing hard.

“With that in mind, we want as many as possible to come through our talent pathway and force themselves in contention for England selections and ultimately win World Cups.”

Discussions around Knights fixtures ahead of the Rugby League World Cup are underway, and Knights players will have three ‘off feet’ meetings this summer (May, July, August) where England performance standards will be discussed.

England Knights squad (* denotes new selection) 

Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), Jon Bennison* (St Helens), Jack Broadbent (Leeds Rhinos), Jack Brown* (Hull FC), Matt English (Huddersfield Giants), Morgan Gannon (Leeds Rhinos), Sam Halsall, Ethan Havard (both Wigan Warriors), Tom Holroyd (Leeds Rhinos), Jordan Lane (Hull FC), Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten* (both Hull KR), Ellis Longstaff (Warrington Wolves), James McDonnell, Matt Nicholson*, Brad O’Neill*, Oliver Partington (all Wigan Warriors), Will Pryce (Huddersfield Giants), Harry Smith, Morgan Smithies (both Wigan Warriors), Josh Thewlis* (Warrington Wolves), Liam Tindall* (Leeds Rhinos), Jake Trueman (Castleford Tigers), Danny Walker (Warrington Wolves), Matt Whitley (Catalans Dragons), Jake Wingfield* (St Helens), Connor Wrench (Warrington Wolves)