Brian McDermott, who previously guided the Leeds Rhinos to multiple championships, has been confirmed as the new head coach of the England national rugby league team. The appointment comes as England prepares for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be staged in Australia later this year. McDermott steps into the role after serving as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, and he replaces Shaun Wane, who resigned in January following England’s 3-0 defeat in the Ashes series. In his first public remarks, McDermtt expressed both humility and ambition.
“I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup,” he said. “My focus now is on creating an environment where players can perform with confidence, wear the shirt with pride, and give themselves the best chance of going deep into the tournament.” He added that his hands‑on approach and attention to detail would be central to his strategy.
“My job now is to get the standards right, build belief in the group, and make sure we’re ready when it matters,” McDermott continued. The selection panel that chose McDermott was composed of several senior figures in the sport, including former England captain Kevin Sinfield, newly appointed Rugby Football League (RFL) non‑executive director Sara Symington, interim RFL chief executive Abi Ekoku, and RFL chair Nigel Wood. Marc Lovering, the RFL’s executive director of performance and participation, also provided support during the process. The panel evaluated a shortlist that featured Sam Burgess, Steve McNamara, Brad Arthur and Paul Rowley, but ultimately concluded that McDermott “emerged from an outstanding field of candidates.” Wood praised the thoroughness of the recruitment process and highlighted McDermott’s credentials.
“As the most successful coach in Super League history, Brian has demonstrated his capability to build fine teams,” Wood said. “His experience as an international coach also shows he understands the unique challenges of bringing together players from different clubs for a national side.” Wood also noted that McDermott’s current work in the NRL gives him day‑to‑day exposure to many of the opponents England will face, while his extensive network across the Betfred Super League will help secure the best possible preparation for the squad. McDermott’s résumé is impressive.
He took charge of the Leeds Rhinos in 2011 and remained at the helm until 2018, leading the club to four Grand Final victories. Most notably, he oversaw the celebrated “golden generation” of 2015, when Leeds captured a historic treble – the Super League Grand Final, the Challenge Cup, and the League Leaders’ Shield – with stars such as Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire. After leaving Leeds, McDermott accepted the role of head coach at the Toronto Wolfpack, guiding the Canadian‑based side to promotion to the Super League in 2019. A brief stint with Featherstone Rovers followed before he crossed the world to the NRL, where he has served as an assistant coach with the Newcastle Knights and, most recently, the Gold Coast Titans.
This blend of experience in both the UK and Australian leagues positions him uniquely to navigate the tactical and cultural nuances of international competition. The Rugby Football League issued a statement confirming that McDermott will appoint his own coaching staff “in due course,” signalling that the new head coach will have the autonomy to assemble a team that reflects his philosophy and the demands of the upcoming World Cup. The statement also emphasized the RFL’s gratitude to all those who participated in the selection process, noting the comprehensive and rigorous nature of the evaluation. Beyond the coaching appointment, the announcement coincided with a reminder of the sport’s broadcast schedule.
Sky Sports has confirmed that it will once again provide live coverage of every Super League match this season, featuring two exclusive live fixtures each round and additional games shown throughout the week on the Sky Sports+ platform. This extensive coverage aims to keep fans engaged and to showcase the talent that will eventually feed into the national team.
Looking ahead, McDermott faces the task of rebuilding England’s confidence after the Ashes disappointment. He will need to foster a culture where players feel secure in their roles, are motivated to represent their country with pride, and are prepared to execute game plans against some of the world’s strongest sides, many of which he now studies weekly in the NRL.
His reputation for meticulous preparation, combined with his proven ability to extract peak performance from his squads, offers a promising outlook for England’s World Cup campaign. In summary, Brian McDermott’s appointment marks a new chapter for England rugby league. With a distinguished track record in the Super League, successful experience in the NRL, and a clear vision for building a cohesive, confident, and competitive national side, he is poised to lead England into the 2026 World Cup with renewed optimism and ambition.