England Rugby League World Cup Squad 2026
England have reached three Rugby League World Cup finals, but they have never lifted the trophy.
Under new head coach Brian McDermott, 2026 is their next big shot, and fans want to know exactly who is on the plane to Australia.
England have named their 23-man squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026, captained by George Williams, with seven Wigan Warriors players and five uncapped players.
England open against Tonga in Perth on Saturday 17 October, with kick-off at 10:05am UK time.
Below, you’ll find the full 23-man squad, every England fixture in UK time, the key players and how to watch on Premier Sports.
We’ll keep this page updated with injuries and changes before kick-off, so it’s worth bookmarking.
Quick Answer: England at RLWC 2026
- Coach: Brian McDermott
- Squad: 23 players, named on 5 October 2026
- Captain: George Williams
- Opponents: Tonga, France and Papua New Guinea
- First match: England v Tonga, Saturday 17 October, HBF Park, Perth, 10:05am UK time
- Watch in the UK: Every match live on Premier Sports
England’s 23-Man Squad for the Rugby League World Cup 2026
Brian McDermott named his 23-man squad on Monday 5 October 2026, cut down from a 40-player performance group.
Wigan Warriors have seven players, and five are uncapped, including NRL-based Hugo Savala, Max King and Ben Talty.
Here is every player in the squad, with his club.
| Player | Club | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Matty Ashton | Warrington Wolves | |
| AJ Brimson | Gold Coast Titans | |
| Ben Currie | Warrington Wolves | |
| Zach Eckersley | Wigan Warriors | Uncapped |
| Herbie Farnworth | Dolphins | |
| Ethan Havard | Wigan Warriors | |
| Max King | Canterbury Bulldogs | Uncapped |
| Morgan Knowles | Dolphins | |
| Mikey Lewis | Hull KR | |
| Jez Litten | Hull KR | |
| Junior Nsemba | Wigan Warriors | |
| Brad O’Neill | Wigan Warriors | |
| Kai Pearce-Paul | Wests Tigers | |
| Victor Radley | Sydney Roosters | |
| Hugo Savala | Sydney Roosters | Uncapped |
| Harry Smith | Wigan Warriors | |
| Morgan Smithies | Canberra Raiders | |
| Ben Talty | Brisbane Broncos | Uncapped |
| Luke Thompson | Wigan Warriors | |
| Sam Walters | Wigan Warriors | Uncapped |
| Jack Welsby | St Helens | |
| George Williams | Warrington Wolves | Captain |
| Dom Young | Newcastle Knights |
Who Missed Out on England’s World Cup Squad?
Leeds Rhinos star Jake Connor was the biggest name left out, with Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis picked ahead of him.
Super League champions Wakefield have no players in the squad.
Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone and Caleb Hamlin-Uele withdrew injured, and halfback Jake Trueman was left out.
Leigh centre Umyla Hanley, who was added to the wider group in August, also missed the final cut.
Key England Players to Watch
Herbie Farnworth
The Dolphins centre is rated among the best in the world in his position.
If England are going to beat the big Pacific sides, Farnworth will likely be at the heart of it.
Brad O’Neill
The Wigan hooker is the reigning Super League Man of Steel and one of seven Wigan players in the squad.
His energy around the ruck could be key against the big Pacific forward packs.
George Williams
The Warrington halfback captains the side, fresh from leading his club to the Super League Grand Final.
His experience in big matches will matter in a tough crossover group.
Victor Radley
The Roosters forward brings NRL toughness to England’s pack.
He qualifies for England through his father’s Sheffield roots.
England Fixtures and Kick-off Times (UK Time)
England play all three group matches in Australia, so UK fans are in for some early mornings.
| Date | Match | Stadium | UK time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 17 Oct | England v Tonga | HBF Park, Perth | 10:05am |
| Sat 24 Oct | England v France | HBF Park, Perth | 7:35am |
| Fri 30 Oct | England v Papua New Guinea | WIN Stadium, Wollongong | 9:05am |
All three games are double-headers with England Women, so one ticket gets you into both matches.
For every other fixture, see our full RLWC 2026 schedule.
How England Can Reach the Semi-Finals
England are in Group B with Lebanon and Samoa, but they play the three Group C teams instead: Tonga, France and PNG.
All six teams go into one combined table, and only the top two reach the semi-finals.
The opener is a rematch of the famous 2017 semi-final against Tonga, and the PNG game in Wollongong is likely to decide a semi-final spot.
Who Is England’s Coach?
Brian McDermott was appointed England head coach in April 2026, replacing Shaun Wane.
Wane stepped down after England’s 3-0 Ashes series defeat, nine months before the World Cup.
McDermott is the most successful coach in Super League history, with eight major trophies at Leeds Rhinos, including four Grand Finals.
He has also worked in the NRL as an assistant coach at the Gold Coast Titans.
How to Watch England in the UK
Premier Sports has exclusive rights to RLWC 2026 in the UK and Ireland, and it’s showing every match live.
You’ll need a Premier Sports subscription. For other countries, see our guide to watching RLWC 2026.
Tickets for England’s Matches
Travelling to Australia? Tickets for England’s games start from $19 AUD, and Perth hosts both of their first two double-headers.
Our RLWC 2026 tickets guide explains where to buy safely and how to avoid scams.
England’s Rugby League World Cup Record
England have reached the final three times, in 1975, 1995 and 2017, and lost to Australia each time.
At the last World Cup, they were knocked out by Samoa in the semi-finals. See every result in our Rugby League World Cup winners list.
England Women at RLWC 2026
England Women, coached by Stuart Barrow, are in Group A with Australia, Samoa and Wales. See the full 23-player list on our England Women World Cup squad page.
- Sat 17 Oct: England v Wales, HBF Park, Perth
- Sat 24 Oct: Australia v England, HBF Park, Perth
- Fri 30 Oct: England v Samoa, WIN Stadium, Wollongong
England World Cup Squad: FAQ
Has England named its Rugby League World Cup 2026 squad?
Yes. Brian McDermott named England’s 23-man squad on 5 October 2026, with seven Wigan Warriors players and five uncapped players.
Who is England’s rugby league coach?
Brian McDermott is England’s head coach. He replaced Shaun Wane in April 2026.
Who is England’s captain for the World Cup?
George Williams captains England at the 2026 World Cup, after leading Warrington to the Super League Grand Final.
What time is England v Tonga in the UK?
England v Tonga kicks off at 10:05am UK time on Saturday 17 October 2026, at HBF Park in Perth.
How can I watch England at the World Cup in the UK?
Every match is live on Premier Sports, which holds exclusive rights in the UK and Ireland. A subscription is required.
Conclusion
England head to Australia with a new coach, a Wigan-heavy 23-man squad and a real chance to reach the semi-finals.
Their campaign starts against Tonga at 10:05am UK time on 17 October, live on Premier Sports.
Follow injury news on our Rugby League World Cup 2026 injury list, and see how England compare in our who will win guide.
England Squad Updates
- 5 October 2026: England’s 23-man World Cup squad named, with George Williams as captain and seven Wigan players.
- 28 September 2026: Page published with England’s confirmed performance group players and fixtures in UK time.
