England head coach Brian McDermott today revealed his final 23-man squad for this year’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. After much speculation, we now know who will be wearing the red, white, and blue of England later this month.

As was reported yesterday, Leeds Rhinos star halfback Jake Connor has once again missed out on international recognition, as he was passed over in favour of Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis. In fact, in a surprise development, no Leeds Rhinos players made the cut for McDermott’s squad, despite enjoying a solid campaign on the pitch, finishing second, just behind Wigan Warriors after falling out of form at the end of the season.

Unsurprisingly, it is the Wigan Warriors who provide the most players to the squad, with seven, including the 2026 Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel, Brad O’Neill, and Dream Team winger Zach Eckersley. Warrington Wolves have three members of their team in the final cut; Matty Ashton, Ben Currie, and captain George Williams will all be on the plane. Elsewhere, there are two inclusions from Hull KR, that being Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten, and one from St Helens (Jack Welsby). In another shock, there will be no representatives from the new Super League champions, Wakefield Trinity, as Tom Johnstone and Caleb Hamlin-Eule both had to withdraw from consideration due to injury troubles.

There will, however, be ample NRL experience in the team, with regulars like Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights), and newly minted NRL champion Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters) being joined by the likes of Hugo Savala (also Roosters), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), and Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos). Altogether, there will be ten Australia-based players in the England team for this World Cup.

On his squad, 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.”

“We have been tremendously impressed by the sacrifices made by the wider squad, their willingness to be open-minded about a new way of preparing for international Rugby League, and the level of alignment they have shown towards our collective vision.

“The commitment of the wider squad to this process has given us the opportunity to understand not only who the player is, but who the person is.”

England Men’s 2026 World Cup Squad:

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 (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), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)

Written by Nathan Major (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

Quote source: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/65188/england-mens-squad-confirmed-for-rugby-league-world-cup-