Brian McDermott, the former head coach of Leeds Rhinos, has been named as the new head coach of England, succeeding Shaun Wane. McDermott will lead the team in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup in Australia. He expressed his pride in taking on the role and emphasized his focus on creating an environment where players can perform confidently and represent the country with pride. McDermott was chosen by a panel consisting of Kevin Sinfield, Sara Symington, Abi Ekoku, and Nigel Wood, with support from Marc Lovering.
The RFL stated that McDermott will decide on his coaching staff in due course. McDermott has a successful coaching history, including four Grand Final wins with Leeds Rhinos and experience in the NRL as an assistant coach for the Gold Coast Titans.
He will rely on his network and knowledge of the opponents to ensure the England team's success in the World Cup.