England Rugby League name Men’s World Cup Squad

England Head Coach Brian McDermott has named his 23-player squad ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The Robins have two players named, with both Mikey Lewis and Jez Litten featuring in the 23-man squad. Both players featured in last year's Ashes Series against Australia.

Versatile back Hugo Savala has been selected after an impressive season with NRL Grand Final winners Sydney Roosters whilst club team-mate Victor Radley also returns to the England fold after lifting that trophy with him yesterday.

Bulldogs prop Max King, who was born in Huddersfield, and Brisbane Broncos’ front-row Ben Talty are the other new names from the NRL who now get their shot with England.

Newcastle Knights Grand Finalist Dom Young and Dally M Centre of the Year Herbie Farnworth - two of England’s top performers from the 2022 World Cup - are also included.

Farnworth’s team-mate at the Dolphins, ex-St Helens loose forward Morgan Knowles, has earned a spot alongside fellow NRL stars AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers) and Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders).

Warrington Wolves trio Matty Ashton, Ben Currie and George Williams will feature for their country after featuring in the Betfred Super League Grand Final with McDermott already confirming Williams will once more captain the side.

Wigan Warriors have seven players in McDermott’s 23 including Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Brad O’Neill and Dream Team winger Zach Eckersley. Harry Smith is included with four of the Warriors’ pack – Ethan Havard, Junior Nsemba, Luke Thompson and Sam Walters.

Along with Dream Team winger Eckersley, Savala, King and Talty, towering forward Walters is one of five uncapped players who will hope to make their England debut during the tournament, with Jack Welsby rounding off McDermott’s squad.

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.”

Each player in the wider England Performance Programme has taken part in six or more individual meetings alongside positional group meetings with McDermott and Systems Manager Carl Jennings – a total of more than 200 individual player meetings across a three-month period.

These meetings have led to individual performance plans for players identifying the areas of their preparation and performance that could make the greatest difference to them as an England player heading into the Rugby League World Cup.

McDermott added: “I want to thank all the players who have been involved in the programme for their effort and application throughout the decentralised preparation phase.

“It’s tough on them all. They have given the programme everything and made many sacrifices along the way.

“The 38-man squad initially picked had talent and ambition running all the way through it. Twenty-three is a lean number to take to a World Cup, and the final decisions were incredibly difficult.

“Their contribution throughout this process has been significant. Every player who committed to the decentralised programme has contributed to raising the standards of the group and helping prepare England for this World Cup.”

England will kick-off their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga on Saturday 17 October before facing France on Saturday 24 October, with both games being played at HBF Park in Perth. McDermott’s men will then travel to Wollongong to face Papua New Guinea on Friday 30 October.

Premier Sports will broadcast every match from the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair Rugby League World Cups live across the UK, including every England fixture.

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 Salava (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)