Brian McDermott has announced his 23‑man England lineup for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, and the most eye‑catching change is the inclusion of Hull Kingston Rovers' Mikey Lewis in place of Jake Connor. Connor, who captured last season's Super League Man of Steel award and delivered a glittering campaign with the Hull KR side—registering a league‑leading 43 assists—was surprisingly left out of the squad. His omission has raised eyebrows given his consistent playmaking and the fact that he topped the assist charts across the competition. Lewis, the Hull KR playmaker who has been a key figure in his club’s attacking structure, steps into the vacancy.
Over the course of the season he crossed the try‑line 17 times and added another 14 assists, demonstrating a blend of finishing flair and creative vision that makes him a valuable asset at the international level. His selection reflects McDermott’s desire to blend proven performers with emerging talent, and it underscores the coaching staff’s confidence in Lewis’s ability to thrive on the world stage. The squad also saw a few notable withdrawals due to injury. Wakefield Trinity prop Caleb Hamlin‑Uele and his teammate Tom Johnstone both pulled out of the selection process after sustaining injuries that would have limited their effectiveness.
Jake Trueman, another player who had been in contention, was also omitted for the same reason. Their absences opened up spots for other forwards and backs who have impressed throughout the domestic season.
England’s World Cup journey will kick off against Tonga on Saturday, 17 October, at HBF Park in Perth, Australia. The opening match will be a stern test, as Tonga has built a reputation for physical, high‑tempo rugby. England will then travel to face France a week later on 24 October, offering a chance to refine their game plan against a familiar European opponent. McDermott’s selections feature a strong representation from the Wigan Warriors, with seven players earning places in the 23‑man group.
Among them are uncapped centre Zach Eckersley, as well as Harry Smith and Junior Nsemba, who have both shown promise in the Super League. The inclusion of several uncapped players signals a forward‑looking approach, aiming to integrate fresh talent into the national setup. From the NRL, Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley, fresh from the NRL Grand Final victory, returns to the England fold. His Roosters teammate Hugo Savala also secures a spot, marking his first involvement with the senior side.
Savala joins a cohort of five uncapped players, which includes Eckersley, Brisbane Broncos duo Max King and Ben Talty, and Sam Walters, each of whom has demonstrated the potential to make an impact at the highest level. Herbie Farnworth, who was named the Dally M centre of the year, and Dom Young—both standout performers for England at the 2022 World Cup—are back in the mix, providing experience and a proven track record on the world stage. Their presence will be vital in guiding younger teammates through the pressures of tournament rugby. Additional NRL talent joining the squad includes Gold Coast Titans full‑back AJ Brimson, Wests Tigers forward Kai Pearce‑Paul, and Canberra Raiders prop Morgan Smithies.
Their inclusion adds depth to the forward pack and offers a blend of physicality and ball‑handling skills that McDermott values. Warrington Wolves, fresh from steering their club to the Super League Grand Final, see captain George Williams retain his leadership role.
He is accompanied by fellow Wolves players Ashton and Currie, reinforcing the club’s influence on the national side. Hull KR’s own Jez Litten joins his clubmate Mikey Lewis in the squad, while St Helens is represented by Jack Welsby, the sole Lion’s representative. Speaking about his selection process, McDermott said, "We have selected the squad after a thorough and deliberate process, underpinned by a unique decentralised preparation model that has allowed us to work closely with the players well before they come together in camp. Throughout that process, we have challenged players to develop a deeper understanding of themselves—their strengths, their point of difference, the areas they need to improve and the standards required to perform at international level.
Importantly, we have also developed a much deeper understanding of the expectations around each player's specific role within the England Game Model. The aim has been that when the players arrive in camp, they are not starting from day one trying to understand what is expected of them.
They already understand their role, the standards attached to it and how their individual strengths can contribute to the way England wants to play." The final roster, in alphabetical order, consists of: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Brad O'Neill (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce‑Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), and Dom Young (Newcastle Knights). This blend of seasoned internationals, emerging Super League stars, and NRL talent positions England as a formidable contender heading into the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with a clear strategic vision and a squad built to adapt to the varied challenges they will face on the road to Perth and beyond.