A new head coach means new ideas and possibly new faces, or at least that’s what a number of England hopefuls will be praying for ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup.
Brian McDermott has been appointed as head coach and he explained that he would not be afraid to name young players or hand out debuts, whilst also being very staunch on the fact England cannot ‘copy and paste’ the Australian style of play in a bid to win the competition.
McDermott explained that arranging a coaching team would be his first priority though he admitted that he’d already looked at squads with the expectation being that a larger training squad will be named, before he eventually names the 24-man squad that will represent the nation at the World Cup.
We’ve picked out five players of varying degrees of experience who could debut for England at the tournament, including a former Great Britain star and a player who represented Ireland at the 2022 World Cup.
Which Super League players could debut for England at the 2026 World Cup?
Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves)
The outside back has often played second fiddle to the supreme talents of Matty Ashton but Ashton’s injury last year thrust Thewlis into the spotlight and he truly stepped up, and he’s now doing so again in 2026 across a number of positions.
He’s been strong on the wing but has also shown the ability to deputise at full-back whilst Cai Taylor-Wray is out and with the young full-back set for more time on the sidelines, Thewlis can continue to show his versatility. That is something that is essential in tournaments and if his form continues then Thewlis is likely to catch the eye of Brian McDermott.
Jackson Hastings (St Helens)
Despite playing four times for Great Britain in 2019, Jackson Hastings is yet to feature for England but it’s something he is believed to be keen on doing so and given the form he is in, it’s very feasible.
George Williams is set for a lengthy rehab after surgery on his neck and it could be that we see a new halves combination, of which Hastings has a very strong shout to be a part of.
Caleb Hamlin-Uele (Wakefield Trinity)
Another player born overseas but eligible to represent England is Caleb Hamlin-Uele, with his head coach Daryl Powell banging the drum for the prop to earn a call-up.
His performances in a Wakefield shirt would certainly put the New Zealand-born prop in the mix and Brian McDermott’s stance on heritage players being welcome paves the way.
James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos)
Whilst previously named in an England squad, James McDonnell is yet to actually debut for the nation but he has played at international level before.
McDonnell represented Ireland at the 2022 World Cup as a 22-year-old, playing once and scoring on debut, but he’s now firmly in the frame to play for England with the NRL-bound second-rower possibly in line for a debut.
James Batchelor (Hull KR)
Another second-rower who could debut is Hull KR’s James Batchelor with the 28-year-old one of Super League’s best in 2025 and now finding his form in 2026.
He was named in Shaun Wane’s extended squad last year but ultimately wasn’t selected for the Ashes and he’ll want to correct that by earning a World Cup call-up in 2026.
Jake Connor’s World Cup chances, Brian McDermott reaction & Leeds Rhinos early title favourites – Click here to watch the latest episode of the Serious About Rugby League Show
1 Comment
Leave a Reply
Leave a Reply
Eric T Cat
May 4, 2026 at 9:35 pm
He’s already stated a desire to pick George Williams, who’s out with a serious neck jury and going to miss half the season. Meanwhile players who are playing out of their skins, week in, week out, won’t get a look in. Australia to beat whoever in the final, either Tonga, New Zealand, or Samoa, but certainly not England.