Lewis Misses Out as McDermott Names First Squad
England head coach Brian McDermott has omitted Mikey Lewis from his matchday squad for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga in Perth. Lewis, who beat Jake Connor to a place in England's squad, has not even been named on the bench. The Hull KR player, who had an inconsistent year, had done enough to convince McDermott that he should join captain George Williams of Warrington and Wigan's Harry Smith as half-back options. Instead, he will be one of three non-playing reserves, alongside Ben Currie and Ben Talty.[S1]
McDermott, who took over from Shaun Wane in April, has also made a major call at full-back, choosing AJ Brimson ahead of Jack Welsby. Brimson, born in Australia, made his England debut in last year's Ashes series against the Kangaroos and is one of four heritage players in the squad, along with England debutant Max King. King, a Bulldogs prop born in Huddersfield while his Australian father David was playing there, features alongside fellow debutant Hugo Savala, who was part of Sydney Roosters' NRL Grand Final-winning squad. Victor Radley is also in the starting XIII.[S1]
England face Tonga in Perth on Saturday, before taking on France in the same city on 24 October and then Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October. The men's and women's teams for the first round of matches between Thursday and Sunday were all announced on Tuesday at 06:00 BST.[S1]
Three Uncapped Players in England Women's Squad
England women's head coach Stuart Barrow has named his squad for the opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup against Wales at HBF Park in Perth on Saturday 17 October, with kick-off at 7.35am. Three uncapped players are in line to make their senior international debuts: Sydney Roosters back-rower Jasmin Strange, Betfred Women's Super League Young Player of the Year Connie Boyd and Canterbury Bulldogs prop Hope Millard. Strange arrives after featuring in a fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final and has already won premierships with Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.[S3]
Reigning Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister has been named on the interchange bench and is set to make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors half-back has scored in each of her first two senior internationals and registered nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions in 2026. She is joined in the matchday squad by six Wigan teammates. Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she scored three tries in four appearances. The North Queensland Cowboys full-back is one of three NRLW-based England players selected, alongside Newcastle Knights half-back Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.[S3]
Amelia Brown is in line to make her first England appearance since scoring a hat-trick on debut against Wales at AMT Headingley in November 2024. The 22-year-old crossed three times in England's record 82-0 victory and finished the 2026 season with 31 tries in all competitions, including a league-leading 26 in the Betfred Women's Super League. England and St Helens captain Jodie Cunningham will lead England at her fourth World Cup. The 34-year-old St Helens loose forward is the record appearance-holder, having won 35 caps and scored 10 international tries since making her debut against France in 2009. She is joined in the squad by Saints teammate Vicky Whitfield.[S3]
World Cup Format and Schedule
The 2026 Rugby League World Cup begins with Australia facing New Zealand in the men's tournament opener on Thursday night. Australia and New Zealand are the Group A heavyweights and the two favourites, but Tonga and Samoa are also expected to challenge, with a potential path to the final at Suncorp Stadium. In the women's World Cup, the Jillaroos are once again the strong favourites to take out the trophy.[S4]
In Pool A, the four teams play each other once and the top two progress to the semi-finals. Pools B and C are more complicated: with only 10 nations competing this year compared to 16 at the last tournament, the teams in Pools B and C play the three teams from the other pool. For example, England will face Tonga, PNG and France. The top two teams from Pools B and C combined will make it through to the semi-finals, meaning one of England or Tonga will very likely miss out given one loss should be enough to knock a team out of contention and the two face off this Saturday. From there, the team that tops the combined Pools B and C plays the team who finished second in Group A, while the winners of that group face the second-placed team from B and C.[S4]
