Brian McDermott, former Leeds rugby league coach and ex-Royal Marine, has been appointed to lead England’s campaign at the upcoming Rugby League World Cup, which begins on October 17 in Brisbane with a match against Tonga. Australia, the tournament’s 12-time champions, enter as strong favorites, but McDermott is confident that England’s cohesion and discipline can provide a competitive edge.

The 56-year-old coach draws on his military experience, having served in Northern Ireland and Iraq, to instill resilience and unity within the squad. McDermott emphasized the importance of mental toughness, noting that the physical intensity of rugby league demands a team capable of maintaining composure amid high contact. “My military background helped me understand that,” he said. “It’s a simple game with simple tactics — but can you do it while you are being punched in your face?”

McDermott reflected on how his understanding of the game evolved beyond tactical preparation during his coaching tenure in London. He pointed to the significance of a team’s internal connection as the decisive factor in close contests, asserting that the difference between teams that lose and those who win major finals lies in their relational strength.

Balancing his role with NRL’s Gold Coast Titans, where he serves as assistant coach, McDermott has had to approach World Cup preparations largely through virtual channels. Despite the challenges of remote coordination, he expressed a strong desire to continue in the national coaching role beyond this tournament. “We’ve had very informal discussions but clearly I’d like to do the job for longer,” he said.

Looking ahead to the next World Cup in four years, McDermott highlighted the need for a fresh approach to England’s international strategy. He believes that simply trying to replicate the dominant nations’ methods will not suffice. “If you’re going to do this properly, give me four years’ preparation,” he said. “We can’t keep doing the same thing and trying to replicate what the best nations are doing. We need to do something different.”

England’s campaign under McDermott will begin in Brisbane, with the team aiming to disrupt expectations and challenge Australia’s longstanding dominance in the Rugby League World Cup.