The short version
- England will face Tonga in Perth on Saturday to begin their campaign in Group B-C of the Rugby League World Cup.
- Mikey Lewis is excluded from the starting lineup and bench, listed instead as a non-playing reserve alongside Ben Currie and Ben Talty.
- Coach Brian McDermott prioritizes heritage players, selecting AJ Brimson at full-back and including debutants Max King and Hugo Savala.
England has announced its starting lineup for the opening match of the Rugby League World Cup, setting the stage for a contest against Tonga in Perth this Saturday. The selection process highlights significant strategic choices by head coach Brian McDermott, particularly regarding the half-back positions and the utilization of players with heritage qualifications. The team will kick off their Group B-C campaign before facing France on October 24 in the same city, followed by a match against Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on October 30.
In a notable decision for the backline, Harry Smith has been named to partner captain George Williams in the half-back roles. This selection leaves Mikey Lewis out of the immediate playing roster for the opener. Lewis, who secured his place in the broader squad by edging out Jake Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel, will not feature on the bench. Instead, he joins Ben Currie and Ben Talty as one of three non-playing reserves. This move underscores McDermott’s preference for Smith and Williams to steer the team’s attack during this critical initial phase.
Lewis’s exclusion from the active roster comes after a season characterized by inconsistency for the Hull KR player. Despite these fluctuations, his performances were sufficient to convince McDermott that he warranted inclusion in the wider squad alongside Williams and Smith. However, the decision to list him as a non-playing reserve suggests the coaching staff is prioritizing established form and tactical familiarity for the first fixture. The remaining starting lineup includes AJ Brimson at full-back, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, Max King, Brad O'Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, and Victor Radley.
The interchange bench features Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, and Matty Ashton. McDermott has indicated a clear intent to leverage heritage players—those eligible for England through family background—to construct the strongest possible squad. This strategy is evident in the selection of AJ Brimson ahead of Jack Welsby at full-back. Brimson, who was born in Australia but made his England debut during last year’s Ashes series against the Kangaroos, represents one of four heritage players in the men’s team.
Other notable inclusions reflect this heritage-focused approach. Max King, a prop for the Bulldogs, makes his international debut. Born in Huddersfield while his father David was playing there, King brings a unique background to the forward pack. He features alongside fellow debutant Hugo Savala, who recently contributed to Sydney Roosters’ NRL Grand Final-winning squad. Victor Radley is also part of the thirteen-man starting side, further diversifying the team’s composition with players who have strong ties to both Australian and English rugby cultures.
McDermott assumed leadership of the England men’s team in April, succeeding Shaun Wane. His early selections suggest a willingness to blend traditional domestic talent with international experience gained through heritage eligibility. The inclusion of Brimson, King, Savala, and Radley indicates a strategic shift toward maximizing depth and versatility. This approach aims to enhance the squad’s competitiveness against diverse opponents in the World Cup format.
Parallel announcements were made for the England women’s team, which will begin its campaign with a match against Wales on Saturday in Perth. Coach Stu Barrow named his squad, highlighting several new faces. Jasmin Strange and Connie Boyd are set to make their international debuts, adding fresh energy to the backline. Uncapped player Hope Millard has been selected among the interchanges, signaling potential opportunities for emerging talent.
The women’s starting lineup includes Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Eva Hunter, and Megan Williams. The interchange bench consists of Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, and Millard. These selections reflect a similar emphasis on integrating new players while maintaining core stability for the opening fixture.
All men’s and women’s team announcements for the first round of matches were released simultaneously on Tuesday at 06:00 BST. The timing ensures coordinated media coverage and fan engagement ahead of the tournament’s commencement between Thursday and Sunday. As England prepares to face Tonga, the focus remains on executing McDermott’s tactical vision and establishing a strong foundation for subsequent matches against France and Papua New Guinea.
The upcoming fixtures will test the squad’s adaptability and depth, particularly with Lewis and other reserves unable to contribute in the opener. The performance of the heritage players, especially Brimson and King, may prove pivotal in determining England’s trajectory through Group B-C. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how these strategic selections translate on the field as the World Cup gets underway.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Lewis left out for England's Rugby League World Cup opener
