England hit by World Cup injury blow as Smithies ruled out

England’s Rugby League World Cup build-up has taken an early hit, with Morgan Smithies ruled out of the tournament after picking up an injury in training. The setback arrives just days before England’s opener against Tonga and forces head coach Brian McDermott into a late reshuffle.

Late injury blow for England

Smithies, who had been expected to play a key role in England’s pack, will miss the competition entirely despite being on the verge of linking up with Perth Bears in the future. The loss is especially frustrating because it comes so close to the first match, leaving little time for the squad to adjust.

McDermott confirmed the news with obvious disappointment, saying the injury was picked up during training and describing Smithies as a player the squad would “certainly miss.” The coach highlighted the forward’s work ethic and toughness as major traits that had impressed throughout camp.

For England, the timing is far from ideal. World Cup tournaments are often shaped by depth, versatility and momentum, and losing a lock or second-row option at this stage can force a tactical rethink. Smithies had been one of the players expected to bring physicality and reliability into the middle.

Watkins returns to the World Cup stage

Leeds Rhinos veteran Kallum Watkins has been called up as Smithies’ replacement, bringing experience and flexibility to the England group. Watkins is set to fly out to Australia and join the squad ahead of the weekend, although he is not expected to feature in Saturday’s clash with Tonga.

The move underlines McDermott’s faith in experience under pressure. Watkins, 35, has already been around the international setup for years and has a long track record of adapting to different roles as his career has evolved.

Once a centre, Watkins has increasingly operated in the pack in recent seasons, showing the sort of positional versatility that becomes invaluable in tournament rugby. That adaptability could make him an important figure later in the competition, even if his immediate role is more about covering gaps than grabbing headlines.

McDermott leans on familiarity and experience

McDermott knows Watkins well from his time at Leeds, which may have helped make this a straightforward call once Smithies was ruled out. The England boss spoke positively about Watkins’ season with Leeds and noted that he has already been part of the England Performance Programme in the build-up to the tournament.

That continuity may matter. In short campaigns, coaches often prefer players who can slot in quickly without needing a long settling-in period, and Watkins fits that profile. He has played under McDermott before, understands the demands, and has international pedigree.

As McDermott put it, he is “looking forward to welcoming him into camp” as England sharpen preparations. The message was clear: the setback is real, but England are determined to move on without losing focus.

What the change means for England

Watkins’ selection also adds another layer of experience to a squad preparing for a demanding group stage. England are in Group B alongside Lebanon and Samoa, with the opener against Tonga setting the tone for what comes next.

Smithies’ absence is a reminder of how quickly tournament plans can change. A squad may be named with balance and roles in mind, but training-ground injuries can rewrite those plans in an instant.

There is still optimism in the camp, though. England have options, and Watkins’ arrival gives McDermott another dependable forward who has seen the big moments before.

Experience could prove valuable later

Watkins’ career speaks for itself. He has represented England on home soil in 2013 and 2022, and he also featured when England reached the 2017 final in Australia. If called upon during this tournament, he would be stepping into familiar territory rather than unfamiliar pressure.

One source of encouragement for England is that the replacement is not a raw emergency call-up. Watkins has been in the wider programme, knows the system and has the sort of composure that can steady a squad when disruption threatens to upset preparations.

For now, though, the headline remains the same: England have lost one of their intended forwards before a ball has even been kicked. McDermott will hope the blow is temporary in effect only, and that Watkins’ experience can help keep the campaign on track.

In a tournament where margins matter, England will need exactly that kind of response: calm, adaptable and ready to absorb the unexpected.