England name World Cup squad as Lewis gets nod

England have unveiled their 23-player squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, and the headline selection call is already sparking debate. Hull KR playmaker Mikey Lewis has been preferred ahead of Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor, while a strong blend of Super League and NRL talent gives Brian McDermott plenty of options heading into the tournament.

Lewis gets the nod in a major selection twist

Connor’s omission stands out immediately. The Leeds halfback enjoyed another superb season and finished with 43 assists, the most of any player in the competition, after also winning last year’s Super League Man of Steel award. Even so, England have gone in a different direction, with Lewis rewarded for a campaign that produced 17 tries and 14 assists.

The decision reflects England’s desire to balance creativity, pace and role-specific fit. Lewis has been one of the most dangerous attacking playmakers in the Super League, and his inclusion suggests England want a squad that can shift gears quickly when the pressure rises in Australia.

Injury withdrawals and fresh faces reshape the group

There were also enforced changes elsewhere. Wakefield Trinity prop Caleb Hamlin-Uele and his team-mate Tom Johnstone are understood to have withdrawn from the selection process because of injury, while Jake Trueman was also unavailable. Those absences opened the door for several new faces, including uncapped selections who will be looking to make an immediate impact on the international stage.

Wigan Warriors dominate the squad numbers with seven representatives, underlining the club’s influence after another strong season. Among them are uncapped centre Zach Eckersley, halfback Harry Smith and forward Junior Nsemba, all of whom have been rewarded for sustained form.

NRL experience adds international edge

England’s squad also carries plenty of NRL pedigree. Victor Radley returns after winning Sunday’s NRL Grand Final with the Sydney Roosters, while club-mate Hugo Savala has earned a call-up as one of five uncapped players in the group. They are joined by Brisbane Broncos duo Max King and Ben Talty, as well as Sam Walters, giving England a broader physical and tactical mix.

Herbie Farnworth and Dom Young also come back into the side after starring at the 2022 World Cup. Both are proven big-stage performers, and their presence adds real pace and finishing power to an England backline that will need to be sharp from the opening match.

Williams to lead a squad built for Australia

George Williams, fresh from guiding Warrington Wolves to the Super League Grand Final, will captain the team again. He is joined by club-mates Matty Ashton, Ben Currie and fellow Warrington leader on the field, giving England a familiar spine of leadership and experience.

Other key names include AJ Brimson, Kai Pearce-Paul and Morgan Smithies from the NRL, plus Jack Welsby as St Helens’ lone representative. Jez Litten joins Hull KR team-mate Lewis, while players such as Luke Thompson, Morgan Knowles and Brad O’Neill add depth across the pack and middle rotation.

McDermott backs a detailed preparation model

McDermott said the selection process was built around a “thorough and deliberate” approach, with players working through a decentralised preparation model before coming into camp. That structure, he explained, was designed to help players understand their roles long before the squad assembles in full.

“When the players arrive in camp, they are not starting from day one trying to understand what is expected of them,” McDermott said. “They already understand their role, the standards attached to it and how their individual strengths can contribute to the way England wants to play.”

The message is clear: England are not just picking talent, they are picking fit. With tough early fixtures against Tonga and France, every selection will matter.

England’s World Cup challenge begins quickly

England open their Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga on Saturday, October 17, at HBF Park in Perth before facing France on October 24. That start could shape the tone of the entire tournament, especially with expectations rising around a squad packed with experience, power and versatility.

There is a sense that this group has been chosen for more than reputation alone. McDermott has mixed proven stars, NRL experience and emerging talent in a squad that appears built for adaptability under knockout-style pressure. The biggest question now is whether the bold call on Lewis over Connor will pay off when England take the field in Australia.