Brian McDermott is confident that he can craft the strategic formula needed to finally deliver England’s long‑awaited Rugby League World Cup victory and bring an end to Australia’s decades‑long reign at the top of the sport. Appointed on Thursday as the new head coach of the England men’s side – succeeding Shaun Wane, who resigned in January after a 3‑0 whitewash in the Ashes series – McDermott inherits a daunting task. The co‑hosts and defending champions, Australia, have claimed nine of the last ten World Cups and have not been beaten by England since the 1995 final, making them the benchmark that any aspiring champion must surpass. Despite the formidable history, McDermott insists the performance gap between the two nations is not insurmountable and that the three‑time runners‑up can finally make the leap to champions.
He explains that success will require a plan that is tailor‑made for players based in the United Kingdom, many of whom compete in a domestic competition that differs markedly from the Australian NRL. "You have to develop a strategy that reflects the realities of British‑based talent, not simply copy what other nations are doing," he said.
"A generic, one‑size‑fits‑all approach won’t get us deep into the tournament. We need specificity, originality, and a willingness to innovate." To illustrate his point, McDermott drew a parallel with heavyweight boxing.
He recalled how Tyson Fury, when he faced Wladimir Klitschko in 2015, openly admitted that his right hand was not as powerful as the Ukrainian champion’s. Rather than trying to match Klitschko punch for punch, Fury adopted a completely different game plan that exploited the champion’s weaknesses and ultimately secured a stunning upset. "Fury didn’t try to be a replica of Klitschko; he used a strategy that the champion wasn’t prepared for and it worked," McDermott explained.
"The same principle applies to rugby league. If we pretend we can simply mimic the Australians, we will never win.
We must find a different way to play that suits our strengths and catches them off guard." He went on to stress that the gap is indeed bridgeable and the competition winnable – but only if England stops pretending it already has the same strengths as the Australians. "If anyone thinks I’m saying we can’t win, they’re not listening," McDermott declared. "We can win, we can absolutely win, but we have to do some things differently." Having out‑performed a roster of seasoned candidates – including former England coaches Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley, Brad Arthur and Steve McNamara – McDermott now faces the practical challenge of building his staff and contacting players for the first time.
He will begin this work from Australia, where he remains an assistant coach with the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL. Although some have questioned whether a part‑time, geographically split role can be effective, McDermott is optimistic.
He points out that modern technology makes it possible to watch games, analyse footage and communicate with players across time zones. "It does pose some challenges, but with the internet nowadays I can watch games and see the vision I need," he said.
"I already watch enough Super League matches without being England coach. The irony is, even if I were based in the UK, I’d probably still meet players on Zoom. I’m also interested in staying on beyond the World Cup, so this isn’t just a short‑term gig for me." One of the early topics on McDermott’s agenda is the status of Leeds’ half‑back Jake Connor, who was controversially left out of the squad for last year’s Ashes by Shaun Wane.
McDermott made it clear that Connor is very much in his plans. "He is, for sure. Absolutely," McDermott affirmed.
He added that the public narrative surrounding Connor had been unfair, noting that the player is both loved and disliked – a natural consequence of being a high‑profile performer. "We could sit around a table and debate whether he’s a nice person or not, but that’s not a constructive conversation," McDermott said.
"What nobody can argue is that he’s a tremendous player. He’s fantastic, a game‑breaker, and he belongs in the squad." Looking ahead, England’s World Cup campaign kicks off on 17 October against Tonga, a match that will serve as the first real test of McDermott’s ideas. The coach’s immediate priorities include assembling a capable coaching team, establishing clear communication channels with the playing group, and integrating a tactical framework that leverages the speed, creativity, and defensive resilience that are hallmarks of the Super League. He also intends to incorporate data‑driven insights and video analysis to fine‑tune set‑pieces and defensive structures, ensuring that the team can adapt quickly to the varied styles presented by opponents throughout the tournament.
McDermott’s long‑term vision extends beyond the World Cup. He hopes to lay a foundation that will see England become a consistent contender for the title, rather than a perennial runner‑up. To achieve this, he plans to nurture emerging talent from the academy system, provide pathways for younger players to gain experience at the highest level, and foster a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the squad. The broader rugby league community will be watching closely, especially as Sky Sports has confirmed that it will broadcast every Super League match live this season, with two matches each round shown exclusively and the remaining five matches each week also on Sky Sports+.
This increased visibility offers an opportunity for English fans to engage more deeply with the sport and for the national team to build momentum ahead of the World Cup. In summary, Brian McDermott arrives with a clear message: England can close the performance gap with Australia, but it will require a bespoke strategy, honest self‑assessment, and a willingness to break away from conventional thinking. By embracing innovation, leveraging technology, and giving deserving players like Jake Connor a chance to shine, McDermond believes the England side can finally lift the Rugby League World Cup for the first time in its history.