Brian McDermott, who previously steered the Leeds Rhinos to multiple championships, has been officially named the head coach of the England national rugby league team. The appointment comes as the England side prepares for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be staged in Australia later this year. McDermott, currently serving as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, steps into the role after former boss Shaun Wane resigned in January following England’s disappointing 3‑0 defeat in the Ashes series. In his first public remarks, McDermott expressed both pride and determination: “I’m incredibly proud to take on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
My focus now is on creating an environment where players can perform with confidence, represent the shirt with pride, and give themselves the best chance of going deep into the tournament. I’ve always been hands‑on and close to the detail, and that will be important in this role. My job now is to get the standards right, build belief in the group, and make sure we’re ready when it matters.” The selection panel that chose McDermott was composed of 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, with additional support from Marc Lovering, the league’s executive director of performance and participation.
In a statement, the RFL confirmed that McDermott will announce his back‑room staff “in due course.” Other high‑profile candidates who were interviewed for the job included former England captain Sam Burgess, experienced coach Steve McNamara, former Parramatta Eels boss Brad Arthur and former Leeds assistant Paul Rowley. Chair Nigel Wood praised McDermott’s candidacy, saying he “emerged from an outstanding field of candidates.” Wood added that the selection process was “comprehensive, thorough and the RFL is indebted to all those that assisted in the process.” Wood highlighted McDermott’s credentials, noting that he is “the most successful coach in Super League history,” having built strong, winning teams at club level and previously served as an international coach. He emphasized that McDermott’s current position in the NRL gives him daily exposure to many of the opponents England will face in the World Cup, while his extensive network across the Betfred Super League ensures he can tap into the best talent from the domestic competition.
McDermott’s résumé is indeed impressive. During his tenure at Leeds Rhinos from 2011 to 2018, he guided the club to four Grand Final victories, including the celebrated 2015 treble‑winning season that featured the iconic ‘golden generation’ of Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire. After leaving Leeds, he took charge of the Toronto Wolfpack, leading them to promotion to Super League in 2019.
A brief spell at 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. The appointment arrives at a pivotal moment for English rugby league. The national side will be looking to rebuild after the Ashes loss and to mount a serious challenge at the 2026 World Cup. McDermott’s experience in both the UK and Australian systems is expected to provide a valuable blend of tactical insight and player management, especially when assembling a squad drawn from multiple clubs across two continents.
Off the field, the RFL has also confirmed that Sky Sports will continue its comprehensive coverage of the Super League this season, broadcasting every match live. Two games each round will be shown exclusively live, with the remaining five fixtures streamed via Sky Sports+. Fans can also stay up‑to‑date with the latest rugby league news through the “Bench” podcast hosted by Jenna and Jon, and can follow the league’s schedule on Sky Sports for upcoming fixtures.
In summary, Brian McDermott’s appointment signals a new chapter for England rugby league. With a proven track record of success, a hands‑on coaching style, and a deep understanding of both domestic and international competition, he is tasked with forging a cohesive, confident squad capable of competing at the highest level. The coming months will see him assemble his coaching team, evaluate the player pool, and begin the preparation that could see England contend for the coveted World Cup trophy in 2026.