Brian McDermott, who previously steered the Leeds Rhinos to multiple championships, has been named the new head coach of the England national rugby league team. His appointment comes as the Rugby Football League (RFL) looks ahead to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be hosted in Australia later this season. McDermott, currently serving as an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL, will succeed Shaun Wane, who resigned in January after England suffered a 3‑0 defeat in the Ashes series. In a statement released by the RFL, McDermott expressed his enthusiasm for the role: "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." The selection panel that chose McDermott was comprised 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 RFL executive director of performance and participation Marc Lovering.
The panel evaluated a strong shortlist that also included Sam Burgess, Steve McNamara, Brad Arthur and Paul Rowley. 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." Wood highlighted McDermott's record as the most successful coach in Super League history.
Under his guidance, Leeds Rhinos secured four Grand Final victories, including the celebrated 2015 treble‑winning season that featured the legendary "golden generation" of Kevin Sinfield, Rob Burrow and Danny McGuire. McDermott's tenure at Leeds began in 2011 and lasted until 2018, after which he took the reins at the Toronto Wolfpack and led them to promotion into Super League in 2019. A brief spell at Featherstone Rovers followed before he moved to the NRL, where he has contributed as an assistant coach for the Newcastle Knights and now the Gold Coast Titans.
Wood further explained why McDermott's experience makes him a fitting choice for the international job: "As the most successful coach in Super League history, Brian 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. By working currently in the NRL, Brian will have day‑to‑day visibility of many of the opponents the England team will be up against, while he also has a great network around the Betfred Super League clubs to ensure that the England team have the best possible chances of success." The RFL also noted that McDermott will appoint his own coaching staff "in due course," signalling that the new management team will be assembled in the weeks leading up to the World Cup.
This gives McDermott ample time to assess the current player pool, identify emerging talent, and develop a cohesive game plan that blends the physicality of the English game with the tactical nuances he has observed in the Australian competition. Beyond the coaching appointment, the announcement coincided with several other developments in the sport.
Sky Sports confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League fixture live this season, offering two matches per round exclusively on its platform, with the remaining five games shown on the broader Sky Sports+ service. The broadcaster also promoted its upcoming rugby league coverage, including the "Bench" podcast hosted by Jenna and Jon, and a schedule of upcoming streams for the Super League, although a specific contract for the streaming service was not disclosed. Fans can also look forward to a full slate of rugby league action on Sky Sports, with the network promising comprehensive coverage of the domestic league as well as the international fixtures leading up to the World Cup.
The increased visibility is expected to boost the sport’s profile in the UK and provide a larger platform for England’s players to showcase their skills ahead of the tournament in Australia. In summary, Brian McDermott’s appointment marks a new chapter for England rugby league. With a proven track record of success at club level, experience in both the Super League and the NRL, and a clear vision for building confidence and standards within the squad, McDermott is positioned to guide England through the upcoming World Cup and potentially restore the nation’s standing on the global stage.
The RFL’s thorough selection process, combined with McDermott’s extensive network across both hemispheres, suggests a strategic approach aimed at maximizing England’s chances of a deep tournament run. The next few months will be crucial as McDermott assembles his staff, evaluates player form, and implements the systems he believes will deliver success on the world stage.