With the Rugby League World Cup just two months away, every Super League player is likely picturing themselves boarding the flight to Australia. In June, England’s new head coach Brian McDermott unveiled a 38‑man performance group, featuring ten uncapped talents, that he will work with throughout the season to sharpen the side for the October showdown. Among the seasoned veterans, Leeds Rhinos’ star Jake Connor – the reigning Man of Steel – has not worn the England jersey in seven years. He was omitted from Shaun Wane’s squad for the 3‑0 Ashes loss to Australia last autumn, but McDermott has now brought him back into the conversation.
The rookie contingent includes Wakefield Trinity’s Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin‑Uele, Wigan Warriors’ Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR’s Dean Hadley and St Helens’ Harry Robertson. Yet the question remains: are there any late‑bloomers outside that 38‑man list who could still make a compelling case for a World Cup berth? Below we examine the players who have been performing at a level that could see them become England’s surprise selections. **Tom Holroyd – The Impact Super‑Sub** International caps: 1 Holroyd has surged in form during the latter part of the season, establishing himself as the archetype of a game‑changing bench player.
His physical presence and ability to shift momentum have not gone unnoticed – even his club boss Brad Arthur believes he deserves serious consideration for the England squad if the team wants a genuine point of difference. Arthur also highlighted teammate Cameron Smith as a potential bench asset.
> "I think Cameron (Smith) and Tom are showing off the bench that they could provide a really good option for that team," Arthur said. "Tom, with his impact and his aggression, and Cameron – he comes on, and he can just change the point of attack with his footwork, his pass, and his off‑load.
And I just think if you're going to try and beat Australia, you're not going to be able to defend your way to victory; you're going to need to be able to score points and both of those guys can help with that." England have a wealth of options in the middle, but Holroyd’s recent displays make him a plausible late‑call. **Umyla Hanley – Rising Attacking Force** International caps: 0 Since returning from injury, Leigh Leopards’ Umyla Hanley has been a revelation on the attacking front.
He earned a place on the Man of Steel shortlist during the mid‑season and was instrumental in Leigh’s dominant victory over Leeds in round 23. Leigh head coach Adrian Lam has become a vocal advocate for his player, insisting that Hanley has a bright international future. > "That tackle he made at the end of the game on Ryan Hall to get his foot across the line – if anyone had said to me, ‘someone’s going to save you a try at the end of the game’ – I would have said it was him, and all of his teammates would have said it was him," Lam explained. "He's the ultimate competitor I've coached.
No, he's the number one player I've coached in my life that competes better than anyone, and I challenge that to anyone in Super League." Hanley’s blend of grit and flair could attract the attention of the England selectors, especially if he continues his upward trajectory. **Oliver Partington – The Unsung Workhorse** International caps: 0 Any Wigan fan will attest to Oliver Partington’s vital role in the club’s 2026 campaign. Known for his relentless work rate, Partington does the hard‑yardage that often goes unnoticed but is essential for a cohesive team.
He willingly embraces any role, whether it’s grinding out meters in the middle or delivering a crucial tackle in the dying minutes. While competition for his position is fierce, Partington’s consistency and willingness to do the dirty work make him a strong candidate for a late‑season call‑up. **Matty Nicholson – NRL Bench Threat** International caps: 2 Although he plays in the NRL for the Canberra Raiders rather than the Super League, Matty Nicholson cannot be ignored. He has been used off the bench in the Raiders’ recent fixtures and, if he strings together a run of strong performances, he could re‑enter McDermott’s radar.
The England coach has explicitly said he will monitor both the Super League and the NRL, giving Nicholson a realistic pathway back into the international picture. **Other Players Worth Watching** Beyond the names already highlighted, a host of other athletes have been pushing for recognition. Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O'Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Ash Handley, Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos), Ben Currie, Danny Walker, George Williams, Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce‑Paul (Wests Tigers), Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Morgan Smithies, Jayden Brailey (Canberra Raiders), Victor Radley, Billy Smith (Sydney Roosters), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Welsby, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Harry Robertson (St Helens), Morgan Knowles, Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin‑Uele, Jake Trueman, Tom Johnstone (Wakefield), Matt King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos) and Dom Young (Newcastle Knights) have all shown flashes of brilliance at club level. If any of these players sustain form, deliver decisive performances in the remaining rounds, or shine in the high‑pressure matches that will be televised on Sky Sports and Sky Sports+, they could force McDermott’s hand and earn a surprise inclusion.
**Conclusion** The England coaching staff faces a delicate balancing act: rewarding proven internationals while also rewarding emerging talent that could provide a tactical edge against a powerhouse like Australia. As the World Cup approaches, the final squad will likely be shaped not only by the initial 38‑man list but also by the impact players who seize the moment in the closing weeks of the Super League season.
Whether it’s a bench spark plug like Tom Holroyd, a rising attacker such as Umyla Hanley, a relentless workhorse like Oliver Partington, or an NRL bench option like Matty Nicholson, the door remains ajar for late‑season bolters to join England’s World Cup campaign.