With the World Cup looming, we welcome the return of former League Express columnist Garry Schofield, who will offer his open and honest views, kicking off by listing the players he’d name in the England squad.

TALK about more comebacks than Frank Sinatra…

While the build-up and coverage in this country outside the specialist media outlets such as this great newspaper League Express has been disappointingly, if predictably, low key, the 17th Rugby League World Cup is just around the corner, pitting the best against the best.

And as a true lover of the international game, not just as a former Great Britain player and captain, but as a fan, I’m fully invested in the forthcoming tournament, which starts with that mouth-watering meeting between holders and hosts Australia and in-form New Zealand at the Sydney Football Stadium a fortnight on Thursday, October 15.

So with the blessing of League Express editor Martyn Sadler, I’m pleased to once again be able to reprise, if only temporarily, the Pulling No Punches column on which I sounded the hooter in November 2024, after the England-Samoa series, but brought back for six weeks around last year’s Ashes.

Back then, I was lamenting our dismal showing against the Kangaroos, who of course triumphed 3-0, and reflecting on how our national team had gone backwards.

Having reached the World Cup final in 2017, and pushed Australia all the way on their own turf, we never really got close to them in 2025, having not even made the World Cup final when we hosted the tournament four years ago.

NEW CHAPTER IN LIFE OF BRIAN

I SAID after the Ashes that Shaun Wane should no longer be coach. Even allowing for the limited resources at his disposal, questions had to be asked about his squad selection and all-too predictable tactics.

They were, and the outcome was his resignation in January then the appointment in April of Brian McDermott, who having followed his trophy-laden spell at Leeds with stints at Toronto and Featherstone, is now assistant to Josh Hannay at Gold Coast Titans after being at Newcastle Knights.

It’s hardly been a stellar season in the NRL for the Titans, saved from the wooden spoon only by the dismal displays of St George Illawarra Dragons.

But Brian has bags of experience, and has been involved in previous World Cups as coach of USA in 2017 and as part of the Fiji staff in 2022.

And it was interesting to hear him say on his unveiling: “I have a plan which is specific and accurate to the players I have available.”

Brian suggested that trying to play the southern hemisphere sides at their own game is a big mistake, and that “something different” is needed.

I fully agree, and I’m hoping his approach comes down to three words – creativity, creativity and creativity.

Of course we have to do the basics properly, and solid defence is the foundation for any success.

But to get the better of the top sides like Australia, New Zealand and Samoa, we need to make the most of the backs we have at our disposal and create opportunities to score tries.

NO TIME FOR RISK TAKING

IT’S good to talk, as the saying goes – and there will be plenty of chat about who should, and shouldn’t, be in Brian’s final 24 for the World Cup.

He’s named an initial 40, which makes interesting reading, but made clear there is still time for others to come into the equation before the whittling down.

I have my own picks – and they don’t include either Jake Connor or Mikey Lewis, both of whom will always create plenty of discussion.

Jake’s absence from the Ashes squad was controversial to say the least, and I said back then I would like to have seen him given a chance to show what he can do at the top level.

That was the time to do it, but a World Cup is not the place for an experiment.

For me, the major factor in selection in current form, and as good and inventive a player as Jake can be, there are too many times this year when Leeds needed him and he went missing.

I’m thinking Wakefield in the Challenge Cup, Castleford away, Leigh at Headingley, Wigan at home and Hull in the last game of the regular season.

Those were times when, as one of the team’s key organisers, he needed to take the game by the scruff of the neck, but didn’t.

As for Mikey, I thought he had a poor Ashes, he hasn’t really produced at international level, and he has been too in and out for Hull KR this year. He just hasn’t earned an England berth.

It’s great that the national team captain George Williams, on whom Brian hung his hat from the outset, has returned from injury and had a decent run of outings with Warrington.

And I’ve been impressed with the continued strong performances of Harry Smith, who has such a good kicking game and varied repertoire.

I’d also have Hugo Savala, the Sydney Roosters centre who can also play in the halves (and has done in the NRL).

Of course Jack Welsby can do that too, but I’d select him at fullback, where has shown himself to be a quality operator.

I think Warrington’s Josh Thewlis has done enough to earn a spot, while Wigan’s Zach Eckersley has shown he has the composure to handle big occasions.

The performances of Umyla Hanley have been a plus for Leigh, and he’s finally shedding the baggage of that surname and emerging as his own man.

Meanwhile Billy Smith, another Rooster who, like Savala, has earned plenty of plaudits this season, brings the knowhow from his time playing in the Australian top flight.

I used to be against Australian players wearing the England or Great Britain shirt, but you have to move with the times. If they make themselves available and are better than people we already have, then go for it.

We’ve had good value from Victor Radley, who would be among my backrow options and a third Roosters player in the squad, and I’d also give a place to Max King, the seasoned Canterbury and New South Wales prop who was actually born in Huddersfield (his dad Dave played for the Giants) and spent his early years in Yorkshire.

I also think Dean Hadley deserves a trip Down Under after another good campaign for Hull KR. He’s a reliable player and one you could put in any pack position other than hooker and know he’d do a job.

Backs
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
Josh Thewlis (Warrington Wolves)
Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors)
Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
Tom Johnstone (Wakefield Trinity)
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)
Umyla Hanley (Leigh Leopards)
Billy Smith (Sydney Roosters)
Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters)
Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors)

Forwards
Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors)
Mike McMeeken (Wakefield Trinity)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Jez Litten (Hull KR)
Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors)
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Morgan Knowles (Dolphins)
Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors)
Oliver Partington (Wigan Warriors)
Dean Hadley (Hull KR)