George Williams’ approximate return date set with Brian McDermott ‘confident’ captain will make World Cup

England head coach Brian McDermott has set forth his belief that Warrington Wolves and national team captain George Williams will be at the World Cup in Australia this year.

Williams is currently rehabbing after undergoing surgery on his neck, something that Wire head coach Sam Burgess had initially explained could well end the 31-year-old’s Warrington Wolves career.

Speaking back in April, Burgess revealed that the recovery timeline could range anywhere between three and twelve months, admitting it may simply be a case of how well Williams recovers.

As well as casting doubt over Williams’ Warrington future, given the fact he will leave at the end of the season, the injury also cast doubt over Williams’ chances of playing for England at the upcoming World Cup that starts in October.

Recently-appointed head coach Brian McDermott has now confirmed on The Bye Round podcast that he is ‘confident’ that Williams will be at the World Cup, revealing a couple of conversations that he’s had with his skipper, including a possible return date.

As well as that, McDermott was clear that Williams would remain captain, adding: “There’s no reason to change that with George. He’s well-respected, he’s matured into a leader and he’s renowned for not saying too much but when he gets the ball into his hands, you better be good because he’ll find you if you’re not on your defensive line.

“He’s got a bit more about his game now and some of that leadership that he’s been working on the last two or three seasons, you can see that.”

When could George Williams return for Warrington Wolves?

McDermott explained that across his phone calls with Williams, the 31-year-old had explained a possible return in the final two or three weeks of the regular season.

He explained: “I’ve talked to George a couple of times and I wanted to share with him some of the plans that I’ve got, specifically about attack and defence and just a whole host of things on tour.

“It was good, I’ve never spoke to him really other than shaking his hand after games as opposition coach. I usually shake George’s hand and go ‘you little b*****d’ because he’d go really well against my team.”

As for details around a return date, McDermott said: “He was saying he’d had an operation. One phone call was him saying he’d have an operation next week but for whatever reason that got put back so there’s a window of about two or three weeks that he’s going to be back before the end of the regular season.

“Then Warrington, if they’re in finals, will get another couple of games after that and then he’s got another couple of weeks prep that includes flying out to Australia.

“I’m confident he’ll be there.”

Warrington’s final game of the regular season is slated for September 11th, with three weeks prior to that being the round 24 game at home to Huddersfield Giants on the 23rd of August.

With Wire currently among the three front-runners in Super League and with a game in hand, their involvement in the play-offs seems likely so it’s feasible that Williams could have a maximum of seven Super League games before the World Cup, though the workload of those could vary.

Equally, his return may not even be as early as round 24 given the severity and sensitivity of the injury, though McDermott’s confidence is promising for both England and Warrington Wolves fans.