Former Leeds Rhinos boss Brian McDermott has officially been named the head coach of the England national rugby league side, taking charge ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup that will be staged in Australia later this decade. The appointment follows a thorough selection process overseen by a panel that included 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. McDermott steps into the role after the departure of Shaun Wane, who resigned in January after England suffered a 3‑0 whitewash in the Ashes series. At the time of his appointment, McDermott was serving as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the Australian NRL, bringing a blend of Super League success and NRL experience that the RFL believes will benefit the national side.
In his introductory statement, McDermott expressed 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." These remarks underline his intention to foster a culture of confidence, professionalism and high performance, while also emphasizing his reputation for meticulous preparation. The RFL confirmed that McDermott will assemble his own coaching team in due course, allowing him to select assistants and specialists who complement his philosophy. Among the candidates who were also interviewed for the post were former England captain Sam Burgess, experienced coach Steve McNamara, Brad Arthur of the Penrith Panthers, and Paul Rowley, all of whom brought strong credentials. Nigel Wood praised McDermott’s candidacy, stating that he "emerged from an outstanding field of candidates" and that the selection process was "comprehensive, thorough and the RFL is indebted to all those that assisted in the process." Wood highlighted McDermott’s record as the most successful coach in Super League history, noting that he "has demonstrated his capability to build fine teams and his previous experience as an international coach also demonstrates his knowledge of the unique challenges of harnessing players from different clubs in an international setting." The RFL also pointed out that McDermott’s current involvement in the NRL gives him day‑to‑day insight into many of England’s future opponents, while his extensive network across the Betfred Super League ensures he can draw on the best talent and resources available.
McDermott’s résumé is indeed impressive. He guided the Leeds Rhinos to four Grand Final victories, including the celebrated 2015 treble‑winning campaign that featured the likes of Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire – a squad often referred to as the "golden generation" of Leeds. He first took the reins at Leeds in 2011 and remained until 2018, establishing a reputation for building resilient, attacking sides that could thrive under pressure. After leaving Leeds, McDermott accepted the challenge of leading the Toronto Wolfpack, a trans‑Atlantic club that earned promotion to the Super League in 2019 under his guidance.
His stint with the Wolfpack demonstrated his ability to adapt to new environments and to manage a squad spread across multiple continents. A brief spell at Featherstone Rovers followed, after which he crossed the world to the NRL, where he served as an assistant coach with the Newcastle Knights before moving to the Gold Coast Titans, where he currently works alongside head coach Jason Demetriou.
The appointment comes at a crucial time for English rugby league. The national team is seeking to rebuild after a disappointing Ashes series and to position itself as a genuine contender for the 2026 World Cup.
With the tournament set to be held in Australia, England will face the traditional powerhouses of the sport – Australia, New Zealand and Fiji – on their home turf. McDermott’s familiarity with the NRL environment, combined with his deep roots in the Super League, positions him uniquely to prepare the squad for the physical and tactical demands of playing against Southern Hemisphere teams. Beyond the immediate coaching responsibilities, McDermott will also be tasked with talent identification and player development. The RFL has emphasized the importance of integrating emerging talents from the academy system with seasoned veterans, ensuring a balanced squad that can sustain success beyond a single tournament cycle.
His experience with club development at Leeds and Toronto will be instrumental in shaping a pipeline of future England internationals. Off the field, the appointment is expected to generate renewed interest among fans and broadcasters. Sky Sports has confirmed that it will continue to broadcast every Super League game live this season, including two exclusive matches each round, with the remaining fixtures shown on the Sky Sports+ streaming platform.
This increased exposure, coupled with the excitement surrounding a new national coach, is likely to boost viewership and engagement ahead of the World Cup. In summary, Brian McDermott’s elevation to England head coach marks a significant shift in the nation’s rugby league strategy. His track record of winning titles, his hands‑on coaching style, and his dual insight into both the Super League and the NRL make him a compelling choice to lead England into the 2026 World Cup and beyond.
The coming months will see him assemble his staff, evaluate the player pool, and implement the standards he believes are necessary for England to compete at the highest level. The rugby league community will be watching closely as McDermott embarks on this new chapter, hopeful that his leadership will restore England to the forefront of the sport on the global stage.