James McDonnell on England Senior call-up and potential debut: It's a big sense of pride

James McDonnell is among five other players who could potentially make their England Senior debut on Saturday when England face France in Toulouse.

The Leeds second rower has been rewarded for his exceptional efforts in a Rhinos shirt this season and now has to the chance to play for his country at the highest level. 

McDonnell did represent England Knights in 2021, and already has a taste of international rugby league under his belt, having switched to play for Ireland in the last World Cup.

“Although it’s not for Ireland this time, it’s still a big sense a pride,” McDonnell admitted when he spoke to the press this week. “Everyone is really happy for me.

“My family were very proud to see me play for Ireland and represent my dad’s homeland and a bit of my heritage too, but I’m sure they’re just as proud to see me playing in white.

“My first ever experience of a senior camp was playing for Ireland, and I got to see the ins and outs of everything for a couple weeks. It was a good experience.”

McDonnell and England Head Coach Shaun Wane are no strangers to one another, with Wigan-born McDonnell having encountered Wane on multiple occasions when playing for Wigan at academy level.

“Waney [Shaun Wane] was the Head Coach at Wigan when I was in the Wigan Academy. I’ve been with him a little bit and coached by him a little bit.

“I’d been at Wigan since I was 14 or 15 years old, and he drip fed down a lot of the coaching styles and the way he liked to play.

“That’s the way I hold my game and where I got my first taste for professional rugby league.

“The international [on Saturday] means it is more intense and there’s higher standards to uphold but I’m sure the things that I’ve learnt from Wane in the past will still be in place.”

The 24-year-old also revealed he was away on a trip visiting his family in Ireland when the England Head Coach called him to break the news:

“It was a surprise phone call,” explained McDonnell. “I saw Shaun Wane’s name pop up on a WhatsApp phone call, so I obviously answered that, and it was more him telling me that I’d been selected.

“It was a decision I made there and then, and I said I’d like to do it 100 per cent. The opportunity was too great to miss. I wasn’t expecting it at all, and I didn’t anticipate it.

“When he rang me, he said think of this as a reward for my performances at Leeds and that he likes some of the stuff I’ve been doing there.

“He also said there’s no guarantee about game time, but he did say that we can look at what I can do and see what comes of it.”

If McDonnell was to be picked for Saturday’s matchday squad however, he admitted it would be his career highlight to date:

“It would be amazing. I think that would probably be the pinnacle of my career so far.

“Just this selection is already and definitely up there – just to be in included and to be the thought of among the other lads that have been named, as well as getting the experience to go into camp.

“I feel like I got a great opportunity at Leeds to show what I was about, and I feel like I’ve really kicked on, got some consistent game time and found out a bit about me at the top level.

“Knowing that I can perform at that top level, what it takes, and how to stay at the top level.”

Looking ahead to England’s highly-anticipated clash with France - who have named an extremely strong squad for Saturday - McDonnell is expecting a completely different test to England's previous encounters against their opponents, which have seen heavy and one-sided score-lines:

“I think it’ll be a tough challenge. I’ve seen the squad, and the 17 they decide to put out are going to be a very strong side.

“It will definitely take some beating. But with the squad we’ve put out – although there’s been changes and a few people coming in - there’s a lot of people in there with a lot to prove.

“I think we’ll be able to do that on Saturday.”

England’s Men and Women will play France in Toulouse on Saturday 29 June, as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic.

England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time, 2:30pm UK), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm (5pm, UK) – and both matches will be streamed LIVE and FREE from Stade Ernest-Wallon on SuperLeague+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.

SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices, and on connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).