England’s Rugby League World Cup squad has been named, with head coach Brian McDermott making several unexpected decisions, most notably the omission of Leeds Rhinos half-back Jake Connor. Despite an impressive season capped by winning the 2025 Man of Steel award and contributing 43 assists, Connor did not make the cut for the tournament commencing in Australia later this month.
McDermott explained that the squad was chosen based on players best suited to his strategic game plan aimed at competing with leading nations such as Australia and New Zealand. He emphasized the need for a different style of play from past approaches, stating that Connor missed selection “by a small margin” and that the ultimate criteria were adherence to the attacking model and delivering under high pressure.
Instead, the squad includes Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis, who has had a mixed 2026 season marked by disciplinary issues and Hull KR’s early playoff exit. Lewis nonetheless recorded 17 tries and 14 assists in 20 Super League matches and was praised by McDermott for his previous success, including winning a World Club Challenge and reaching a Challenge Cup final. The coach expressed confidence in Lewis’s ability to perform in the World Cup setting despite recent challenges.
Another notable aspect of McDermott’s selections is the absence of any players from Wakefield Trinity, the newly crowned Super League champions. Key players such as Jake Trueman, Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, and Tom Johnstone were all considered but ultimately withdrew due to planned post-season surgeries. McDermott expressed disappointment over their unavailability, describing it as a significant loss to the squad.
Injuries also forced the withdrawal of Leeds Rhinos’ Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki, Wigan’s Jake Wardle, and Sydney Roosters’ Billy Smith, further impacting squad depth.
The final squad features a strong contingent of players based in Australia’s National Rugby League (NRL), including 10 individuals, highlighting McDermott’s emphasis on experience at the highest competitive level. Among these are Australian-born players such as Brisbane Broncos forward Ben Talty and Sydney Roosters utility Hugo Savala, who is expected to start at centre in England’s opening match against Tonga on October 17 in Perth.
England’s group stage also includes fixtures against France and Papua New Guinea, with the latter match in Wollongong potentially determining England’s progression to the semi-finals.
McDermott’s selections reflect a blend of strategic thinking, current form, and availability, with an eye toward a fresh style of play and the pressures of knockout competition in this World Cup campaign.