England’s head coach, Brian McDermott, has officially named George Williams as the skipper for the nation’s squad at the Rugby League World Cup slated for next month. The decision comes after Williams made a remarkable comeback from a serious neck injury that required surgery in April.
By August he was back on the field, turning out for the Warrington Wolves and immediately making an impact as the team pushes for a place in the Super League Grand Final. Warrington’s upcoming eliminator against Hull KR this Saturday, broadcast live on Sky Sports, will be a crucial test. The victor will travel to face Wigan Warriors in the semi‑finals, with the ultimate prize – the Grand Final at Old Trafford on October 3 – still up for grabs. McDermott praised Williams’s form and leadership, noting that the former Leeds player’s return has been nothing short of inspirational.
"I didn’t really know George at all. In fact, I didn’t know many of the squad at all, to be fair. I’ve only ever shook their hands after games," McDermott admitted. "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!" He went on to describe how quickly Williams re‑established himself as a leader on the pitch: "It’s been really enjoyable to get to know him. He’s keen as anything and while he was injured, you could tell if anyone was coming back from injury early then it would be him. I’m pleased to see the form he’s in now, the intent he’s playing with. He’s not feathering about on his feet and waiting for the game to come to him – he’s going and getting the game.
He chases the ball and that’s George Williams all over." When Williams first broke into first‑grade rugby league, his aggressive style left teammates and opponents alike asking, "Who the hell’s this guy?" He answered by consistently seeking out the opposition, whether by targeting the defender opposite him or by darting inside to exploit a lazy back. Over the years he has added strength and tactical awareness, becoming a more rounded and wiser player. Williams’s appointment as captain also implies he will occupy one of the two half‑back positions in the World Cup squad, a decision that raises questions about his partner 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 tournament, which will be staged across Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from 15 October to 15 November. "Whether we take a six and a seven to back up the six and a seven that I have in mind to start, I’m still not sure," McDermott said.
"We’re certainly going to take another half. We need to take another half. But if we take two halves as cover, it has an impact on how many covers we have for our outside backs, what cover we have with the back rowers, what cover we have for the other spine members as well.
Some of that will be to do with form, some of that will be to do with versatility as well." He added that versatility could be a deciding factor: "If a guy can play in the halves, but he can also play at nine, I might favour that as well. Unsure yet.
Certainly, the spine members there, it’s a difficult one with the spine members." McDermott emphasized that the final selection will be shaped by performances in the upcoming finals series. "I’ve got to see them play in finals. Everyone would understand who the spine members are going to be or what other players I’m choosing from. But there’s another couple out there that the finals will reveal.
Can they handle the big occasion? Can they handle the game when there’s so much on the balance? I’ll certainly be taking one half as back‑up.
Whether I take two or not, it’s dependent on the ship." 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 World Cup campaign. The trio have been in constant communication, holding numerous Teams calls and phone conversations to fine‑tune tactics, defensive structures and overall game plans. "We’ve had a lot of contact. We jump on a Teams call and we’ve done a tonne of phone calls, just us three together, talking about squads, talking about tactics, defensive strategies, state of the game – everything we’ve covered," McDermott explained.
He praised both O’Loughlin and Wellens for their professionalism and experience, noting that they have both been among the best players England has produced and have consistently performed at the highest international level. "No matter whether the game has been won or lost, those two have always come out of the international arena with their heads held high, so I’ve learned a ton off them over the last few months about rep football and international football, and the mentality towards World Cup squads and how things should be done," he said. Both assistants remain full‑time players – O’Loughlin with Wigan and Wellens with the Cowboys – so McDermott is mindful of not over‑burdening them with late‑night Zoom calls.
"They’re not really getting paid for it, which hasn’t really been a problem for them at all. They’ve never mentioned it, but I’ve been mindful of leaning on them too much, really, but they’ve been great, they’ve been awesome," he added.
The Super League play‑offs kick off on Friday, 18 September, with Wakefield Trinity traveling to Leigh Leopards at 8 p.m. on Sky Sports. The following day, Warrington Wolves meet Hull KR at 5.30 p.m., also on Sky Sports. The semi‑finals are scheduled for 25 September (Leeds Rhinos versus a TBD opponent) and 26 September (Wigan Warriors versus a TBD opponent), both live on Sky Sports.
The play‑off series will culminate in the Grand Final at Old Trafford on 3 October, setting the stage for England’s World Cup preparations.