Predicting England’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup squad after Brian McDermott’s comments and George Williams’ injury

Just under six months out from England’s first game at the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, we’ve predicted what Brian McDermott’s 24-man squad could look like.

Predictions this far out are a fool’s game but in light of Brian McDermott’s first press conference, in which he publicly backed Jake Connor over his Ashes snubbing, and the injury to Warrington Wolves’ and England’s captain George Williams, there’s perhaps no better time.

McDermott made it very clear that the reigning Man of Steel was part of his plans though he stopped short of confirming his spot on the plane, whilst the new head coach also backed George Williams to be his captain.

Since those comments on Thursday morning, it’s been confirmed that Williams is set for surgery on a neck injury with the rehab possibly as long as 12 months with Sam Burgess admitting that the half could well have played his final game this season.

As such that makes the half-back positions in McDermott’s 24-man squad a good place to start.

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What could Brian McDermott’s 2026 Rugby League World Cup squad look like?

Halves

The endorsement for Connor, as well as his strong start to the year, would suggest he will be involved whilst Mikey Lewis and Harry Smith would also be expected to be named. It could be that only three outright halves are named, as predecessor Shaun Wane did in the Ashes.

Key to tournament rugby league is having versatile players and that’s key in the full-back and outside backs position, with both predicted full-backs also capable in the halves if needed.

Other players who could well contend for a spot in the squad as an out-and-out half-back would be George Williams, if fit, whilst Jackson Hastings could also be considered having previously played for Great Britain.

Backs

The aforementioned adaptable full-backs would be Jack Welsby, who is currently injured but has been a mainstay in England squads since his debut, and AJ Brimson, the man who replaced Welsby in the last two Ashes Tests.

Also in Brimson’s favour is the fact that McDermott is his coach at Gold Coast Titans whilst the Australian-born back is also very adept at centre, though England do have arguably the best player in the world there in Herbie Farnworth.

Jake Wardle has only just returned for Wigan but he has consistently been one of the best centres in Super League and that could earn him the nod alongside Super League’s two current best English wingers, Tom Johnstone and Matty Ashton.

Dom Young will almost certainly be in the squad as well whilst McDermott will likely name one more versatile back. That could be Wigan’s Zach Eckersley who can play all across the backline but Warrington’s Josh Thewlis could be a bolter for that role based on his start to the season. His teammate Cai Taylor-Wray could be another one to keep an eye on for the full-back spot.

Hookers

Hooker is an interesting position in that it’s likely only two will be named and there are so many top talents at the position. The incumbent pair in the squad are Daryl Clark and Jez  Litten and they have both started the 2026 season in electric form so there’s no reason to suggest they should lose their place.

Warrington’s Danny Walker is someone who has also benefited from the faster ruck speed and is certainly in with a shot, as could be Cronulla Sharks’ Blayke Brailey who is eligible to play for England despite being named in Australia’s Ashes squad last year.

Brailey is still yet to make an appearance for Australia so could still represent England but whether he does is another matter. Brian McDermott made it clear that he would have no issue playing heritage players so should his form be at the same level as 2025 then he could be called upon.

Forwards

Into the forwards and there will be a strong NRL presence which may include Brisbane Broncos’ Ben Talty, who is the latest heritage player to put his hand up with McDermott passionately responding ‘who are we to say Ben shouldn’t be playing for England’.

He would be an eye-catching name among the NRL cohort that would include loose forwards Victor Radley and Morgan Knowles, second-rower Kai Pearce-Paul and the versatile Morgan Smithies.

Headlining the Super League talent would be Matty Lees, who could well be named captain if George Williams doesn’t play, whilst Mike McMeeken would be another prop forward with plenty to prove. NRL-bound Mikolaj Oledzki would be another with Wigan’s Ethan Havard another incumbent that could keep his spot.

Elsewhere in the pack, the likes of Junior Nsemba could earn a call-up providing Wigan Warriors overcome their current slump in form with veteran forward Kallum Watkins also a chance at playing, reuniting with his former Leeds Rhinos head coach.

Predicted 24-man squad

Backs: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity), Jake Wardle (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), Dom Young (Newcaste Knights)

Halves: Jake Connor (Leeds Rhinos), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)

Hookers: Daryl Clark (St Helens), Jez Litten (Hull KR)

Forwards: Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Mikolaj Oledzki (Leeds Rhinos), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Kallum Watkins (Leeds Rhinos)