Brian McDermott, who previously guided the Leeds Rhinos to multiple championships, has been announced 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 season. McDermott steps into the role after serving as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, succeeding Shaun Wane, who resigned in January following England’s clean‑sheet defeat in the Ashes series. In his first public remarks, McDermatok expressed genuine enthusiasm for the challenge: "I am 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." His comments underline a commitment to detail‑oriented preparation, a culture of confidence, and a belief that the squad must be mentally and physically ready for the rigours of a World Cup campaign. The selection panel that chose McDermott was composed of former England captain Kevin Sinfield, newly appointed 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.
The panel’s decision followed an extensive interview process that also saw Sam Burgess, Steve McNamara, Brad Arthur and Paul Rowley vie for the position. Wood praised McDermott’s credentials, noting 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." The RFL’s statement highlighted McDermott’s status as the most successful coach in Super League history. Under his stewardship, Leeds Rhinos captured four Grand Final victories, including the celebrated 2015 treble—a feat achieved with a core of legendary players such as Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire. This record of building winning teams, combined with his previous experience as an international coach, convinced the panel that he possesses the expertise needed to unite players from different clubs under a single national banner.
McDermott’s career trajectory adds further depth to his suitability for the England job. He began his senior coaching tenure at Leeds in 2011 and remained until 2018, guiding the club through a period often referred to as the "golden generation". After leaving Leeds, he took charge of the Toronto Wolfpack, steering the Canadian‑based side to promotion into the Super League in 2019.
A short spell with Featherstone Rovers followed before he crossed the Tasman to join the NRL, first as an assistant with the Newcastle Knights and most recently with the Gold Coast Titans. This NRL experience provides him with daily exposure to many of the players and tactics that England will encounter in the upcoming World Cup, while his extensive network within the Betfred Super League ensures he can draw on a wide pool of talent and insight. Looking ahead, McDermott will soon appoint his own coaching staff, a decision the RFL said will be made "in due course".
The new coaching team will be tasked with implementing a preparation program that balances rigorous skill development, tactical analysis and psychological resilience. Given McDermott’s reputation for being detail‑oriented, it is expected that training sessions will incorporate advanced video analysis, data‑driven performance metrics and individualized player plans aimed at maximizing each athlete’s strengths while addressing weaknesses.
Beyond the coaching staff, the England set‑up will benefit from the broader infrastructure provided by the Rugby Football League. This includes access to sports science resources, medical and physiotherapy support, as well as collaboration with club coaches across the Super League to monitor player welfare and form throughout the domestic season. The integration of these resources is crucial, especially as the national team will have to assemble players from a variety of clubs and leagues, each with differing playing styles and tactical philosophies.
The announcement also coincided with a reminder of the broadcasting schedule for the sport. Sky Sports confirmed that it will once again broadcast every Super League match live throughout the season, offering two exclusive live fixtures each round and covering the remaining five games via its main channels.
This comprehensive coverage ensures that fans can follow the domestic competition closely, keeping abreast of player performances that will inform England’s selection and strategy. In summary, Brian McDermott’s appointment marks a significant shift for England rugby league as the nation looks to rebuild after a disappointing Ashes campaign and set its sights on a World Cup that promises to be fiercely contested in Australia. With a proven track record of success at club level, experience in both the Super League and NRL, and a clear vision centred on confidence, detail, and high standards, McDermott is poised to guide England toward a competitive showing on the world stage. The coming months will see him assemble his coaching team, refine the squad’s preparation, and instil the belief necessary for England to challenge for the trophy in 2026.