Mike McMeeken has been called up by England coach Wayne Bennett

Castleford's Mike McMeeken is the eye-catching inclusion in a 31-man elite training squad chosen by England coach Wayne Bennett to prepare for this year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

The 22-year-old Basingstoke-born forward has been a revelation since he left London Broncos to join Castleford two years ago.

Reigning Super League Man of Steel Danny Houghton, and his Hull team-mate Jamie Shaul, are also among the new faces, while there are recalls for St Helens hooker James Roby and Castleford duo Michael Shenton and Zak Hardaker.

Wigan captain Sean O'Loughlin, who led England to a series victory over New Zealand in 2015, is also called up after missing last year's Four Nations series through injury.

The squad of Super League-based players will attend the first of six training sessions on Monday, February 27.

England's head coach Wayne Bennett

This will be run by assistant coaches Paul Anderson and Paul Sculthorpe, while Bennett will meet with the squad in mid-February to outline his World Cup plans.

Bennett is bringing his Brisbane Broncos team over to England for the World Club Series in February.

He had hoped to organise a pre-season warm-weather training camp in Dubai, but the proposal met with firm opposition from several coaches.

The Rugby Football League has, however, confirmed a mid-season Test against Samoa on Saturday, May 6 at a Sydney venue yet to be determined.

Bennett will announce his Test match squad in April before revising his training squad in late May or early June.

There's a lot of talented and committed individuals in this group who are well aware that success in a World Cup tournament doesn't come easy. Wayne Bennett

Bennett said: "What we have put in place for the players is a programme that will enable them to spend required time together in an international environment.

"Our selection includes a mixture of the England-based players from last year's squad, returning names who have previously been in the programme, and some new faces who have been performing in Super League.

"There's a lot of talented and committed individuals in this group who are well aware that success in a World Cup tournament doesn't come easy.

"Preparation is key and we need everyone to be fully focused throughout the year."

England's 31-man elite performance squad: L Gale, Z Hardaker, M McMeeken, M Shenton (all Castleford), L Cudjoe, J McGillvary (Huddersfield), D Houghton, S Taylor, J Shaul (Hull FC), B Ferres, R Hall, S Ward, K Watkins (Leeds), K Amor, J Greenwood, J Lomax, M Percival, J Roby, M Smith (St Helens), K Brown, D Clark, M Cooper, B Currie, C Hill, S Ratchford (Warrington), J Bateman (Wigan), J Burgess, L Farrell, S O'Loughlin, S Tomkins, G Williams (Wigan)