Brian McDermott, the former head coach of Leeds Rhinos, has been named as the new head coach of the England rugby league team. McDermott will lead the team in the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which is set to take place in Australia.
He replaces Shaun Wane, who stepped down from the position in January. McDermott expressed his pride in taking on the role and stated that his focus will be on creating an environment that fosters confidence and pride among the players.
The appointment was made by a panel consisting of Kevin Sinfield, Sara Symington, Abi Ekoku, and Nigel Wood, with support from Marc Lovering. McDermott was chosen from a pool of outstanding candidates, including Sam Burgess, Steve McNamara, Brad Arthur, and Paul Rowley. As the most successful coach in Super League history, McDermott brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.
His previous experience as an international coach and his current work in the NRL will provide him with valuable insights into the challenges of the upcoming World Cup.