ENGLAND will hope that domestic legend Brian McDermott can finally bring some long-awaited international success.
A disappointing Ashes series in 2025 has meant it’s all change, not just at the helm, with Shaun Wane being replaced as head coach, but with a number of heritage players pledging their allegiance in what is sure to create a selection headache for their new coach.
McDermott has no issue with selecting as many players born overseas as necessary to create a winning side, as England look to restore their reputation following the whitewash by Australia and the shock golden-point defeat to Samoa in the World Cup semi-final on home soil in 2022.
However, the Gold Coast Titans assistant hasn’t held a single training session with England players heading into the autumn, never mind a fixture – the crucial opening game with Tonga will be his very first.
It all adds up to a general lack of enthusiasm at home for their chances.
KEY PLAYERS
BRIAN McDERMOTT has confirmed that half-back George Williams (left) will stay on as captain, having returned with vigour from a neck injury suffered in April to play his part in guiding Warrington to the Super League Grand Final.
As well as heritage players, there are some excellent England-born players tearing up NRL trees, not least Herbie Farnworth (middle), who has shone again with the Dolphins and is arguably the world’s best centre.
Out wide, Dom Young (right) was one of the stars of the last World Cup and will go into this one bang in form, having scored more than 20 tries this season for Newcastle Knights.
COACH
BRIAN McDERMOTT is a serial winner, with eight trophies (including four Grand Finals) in as many years at Leeds Rhinos establishing him as Super League’s most successful coach.
It’s his first international gig since a three-year stint with the United States from 2015 to 2018 and he’s already expressed his hopes to extend his current short-term contract.
SQUAD
England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), 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), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).
