England's head coach, Brian McDermott, has officially named George Williams as the captain for the forthcoming Rugby League World Cup, which is set to kick off next month across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea. The decision comes after Williams overcame a serious neck injury that required surgery in April and made a successful return to first‑team action in August with the Warrington Wolves. Since his comeback, Williams has been a driving force for Warrington, pushing the side toward a possible appearance in the Super League Grand Final. Williams' journey back to full fitness has been nothing short of inspirational.
After the operation, he spent several months in rehabilitation before earning his place back in the Wolves' lineup. His performances have been marked by a blend of physical resilience and a relentless work ethic, qualities that have not gone unnoticed by McDermott.
The coach praised Williams' leadership, noting that the player "has been really good" in guiding his teammates both on and off the field. "I didn't really know George at all," McDermott admitted, recalling how little interaction he had with many of his players before taking the England role. "In fact, I only ever shook their hands after games. I normally shook George's hand after his team beat my team when I was at Leeds.
We had a horrible record against Wigan in the regular season!" The coach went on to explain that getting to know Williams over the past few months has been a pleasure. "He's keen as anything and, when he was injured, you could tell if anyone was coming back early—it would have been him. I'm pleased with the form he's in now and the intent he shows. He doesn't sit back waiting for the ball; he goes after it, chases the game, and that's George Williams in a nutshell." When Williams first broke into top‑level rugby league, his impact was immediate.
"We all said, 'who the hell's this guy?' because he went and got the game, he chased the game, whether he was trying to beat the opponent opposite him or finding a lazy defender inside," McDermott recalled. Over the years, Williams has added strength and experience, becoming a more rounded and wiser player while retaining his aggressive, go‑for‑it attitude.
The captaincy also implies that Williams will likely occupy one of the half‑back positions for England, prompting questions about who will partner him in the spine. Several candidates are in contention, including Mikey Lewis, Jake Connor, Harry Smith and Hugo Savala.
McDermott hinted that only three of these players will travel to the World Cup, stressing the delicate balance required when selecting the squad. "Whether we take a six and a seven to back up the six and seven that I have in mind to start, I'm still not sure," he said.
"We certainly need another half‑back, but adding two halves as cover affects the numbers we have for outside backs, back‑rowers and other spine members. Form and versatility will guide those decisions." The coach also emphasized the importance of players who can cover multiple roles. "If a guy can play in the halves but also at nine, I might favour that as well," McDermott explained. He expects the final selections to be clarified after the Super League finals, where performances will reveal which players can handle the pressure of a World Cup campaign.
In addition to naming the captain, McDermott confirmed that former England greats Sean O'Loughlin and Paul Wellens will serve as assistant coaches for the tournament. The trio has been in constant communication, holding Teams calls and numerous phone conversations to discuss squad composition, defensive structures and overall tactics. "Both Lockers and Wello have been two of the best players our country has produced, and arguably among the best internationally," McDermott said.
He praised their professionalism, noting that they continue to work full‑time with their club commitments—O'Loughlin with Wigan and Wellens with the Cowboys—yet still make time to support the national set‑up. The upcoming weeks will be busy for English clubs as the Super League play‑offs commence.
Warrington Wolves will face Hull KR in the eliminators on Saturday, with the winner set to meet Wigan Warriors in the semi‑finals ahead of the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3. The schedule also includes fixtures such as Wakefield Trinity versus Leigh Leopards on September 18 and the semi‑finals on September 25 and 26, all broadcast live on Sky Sports. As the World Cup draws nearer, McDermott remains focused on building a squad that blends experience, versatility and the hunger to succeed on the global stage. With George Williams at the helm, England hopes to combine his tenacity and leadership with a well‑balanced spine to compete for the coveted trophy.
The coaching staff, players and support personnel are all working tirelessly to ensure that the team arrives in the Southern Hemisphere ready to face the best nations in rugby league and to make a strong challenge for the title.