England's senior coach, Brian McDermott, has officially appointed George Williams to lead the national side at the forthcoming Rugby League World Cup, which will be staged across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from mid‑October to mid‑November. Williams, who endured a serious neck injury earlier in the year and required surgery in April, made a remarkable comeback in August. Since returning to action he has been a pivotal figure for the Warrington Wolves, driving the club’s push toward a Super League Grand Final berth.
Warrington’s next challenge arrives this Saturday when they meet Hull KR in the elimination round, a match that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The victor will travel to face the Wigan Warriors in the semi‑finals, with the ultimate prize – a place at Old Trafford for the Grand Final on 3 October – hanging in the balance. McDermott praised Williams’s resurgence, noting that his leadership on the field has been "really good" and that his attitude exemplifies the qualities the England squad needs.
"I didn’t really know George at all," McDermott admitted. "In fact, I didn’t know many of the players personally – I’d only ever shaken their hands after matches. I usually shook George’s hand when his side beat mine back when I was with Leeds. We had a terrible record against Wigan in the regular season!" The England boss continued, "Getting to know him has been a pleasure.
He’s eager, and when he was sidelined you could always tell that if anyone was going to make an early return, it would be him." The coach lauded Williams’s current form, emphasizing the player’s proactive style: "He doesn’t sit on his feet waiting for the ball. He runs onto the game, chases it down, and that’s pure George Williams. When he first broke into first‑grade rugby league, we all asked, ‘Who is this guy?’ because he never hesitated to attack, to test the opponent, and to exploit any lazy defender. Over the years he’s added strength and wisdom to that raw instinct." Williams’s appointment as captain almost guarantees he will occupy one of the two half‑back positions for England, a decision that opens a debate about who will partner him in the halves.
Several candidates are in contention, including Mikey Lewis, Jake Connor, Harry Smith and Hugo Savala. McDermott hinted that only three of these players are likely to travel to the World Cup, meaning squad balance will be a key factor. "Whether we take a six‑and‑seven to back up the six‑and‑seven I have in mind for the start, I’m still undecided," McDermott said.
"We definitely need another half‑back, but adding two as cover will affect the number of backs, forwards and utility players we can bring. Form, versatility and the ability to play multiple roles will dictate the final selection." He added, "If a player can slot into the halves and also operate at hooker, that flexibility becomes very attractive. The spine positions – full‑back, half‑back, five‑eighth and hooker – are always a tough puzzle. The finals will reveal who can handle the pressure of a World Cup environment, who can thrive when everything is on the line.
I’ll certainly take at least one half‑back as a backup; whether I take two depends on the overall composition of the squad." 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 numerous Teams calls and phone discussions to fine‑tune tactics, defensive structures and overall game plans. "Lockers (O'Loughlin) and Wello (Wellens) have been two of the best players our country has ever produced, and arguably among the finest internationally," McDermott observed.
"Regardless of win or loss, they always walk off the field with their heads held high. Over the past months I have learned a great deal from them about representative football, the mindset required for a World Cup, and how to manage a squad at that level." He also noted the practicalities of their involvement: both O'Loughlin and Wellens hold full‑time club roles – O'Loughlin with Wigan and Wellens with the Cowboys – so McDermott is careful not to over‑burden them with late‑night calls or last‑minute Zoom meetings. "They aren’t being paid for this extra work, which they’ve never complained about, but I’m mindful of respecting their time," the England coach said. The Super League play‑offs, which will determine the final composition of the England squad, kick off on Friday 18 September with Wakefield Trinity hosting Leigh Leopards at 8 pm on Sky Sports.
The following day sees Warrington Wolves take on Hull KR at 5.30 pm, also live on Sky Sports. Semi‑final fixtures are slated for 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a yet‑to‑be‑decided opponent) and 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD side), both broadcast on Sky Sports. The play‑off series runs through to the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, after which the England squad will travel to the Southern Hemisphere for the World Cup. Williams’s journey from a serious neck operation to captaining his country epitomises resilience and determination.
His aggressive, go‑after‑the‑ball approach, combined with his growing experience, makes him a natural leader for a side that hopes to challenge the traditional powerhouses of the sport. As the World Cup draws nearer, England fans will be watching closely to see how McDermott balances experience with versatility, and whether the chosen half‑back pairing can deliver the creativity and stability required on the world stage. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for final squad decisions, tactical rehearsals and injury management. With the coaching staff, led by McDermott, O'Loughlin and Wellens, working around the clock, England aims to field a balanced, adaptable team capable of handling the intensity of international competition.
If George Williams can maintain his current form and lead by example, the England side may well be poised to make a deep run in the 2025 Rugby League World Cup, challenging for the title and restoring pride to a nation with a rich rugby league heritage.