England will attempt to end half a century of hurt when the 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off on 15 October.

Coach Brian McDermott has promised to do things differently for England to end their long tournament drought, so here’s a squad filled with fresh faces that I would pick to make some noise down under.

1 Jack Welsby, St Helens, full-back/centre/half-back

The Saints full-back has not had the greatest of seasons, and has had to come back from serious injury. But Welsby has experience at international level and is a proven match-winner on his day. His versatility to be able to play across the backline will also be an asset for Brian McDermott’s men.

2 Dom Young, Newcastle Knights, winger

One of the first names on the team sheet. Playing in an NRL grand final this weekend for Newcastle, Young is an electric winger who scores tries for fun. At two metres tall and 107kg, and with speed to burn, the dreadlocked 25-year-old from Dewsbury is England’s closest thing to Jonah Lomu.

3 Billy Smith, Sydney Roosters, centre, winger

With both of his parents born in London, Sydneysider Billy Smith would be a new name in the England set-up. Uncapped, the centre has helped the Roosters into this year’s grand final and is an experienced campaigner after eight seasons in the NRL. A new heritage face for England.

4 Herbie Farnworth, the Dolphins, centre

Farnworth is arguably the best centre in the world right now, and easily one of the best players on the planet. Blacko-born, the 26-year-old has been ripping up trees in the NRL with the Dolphins this year and is the complete package. If England are to impress in this World Cup, they need Farnworth to fire.

5 Matty Ashton, Warrington Wolves, winger

Back from a debilitating ACL injury having missed last year’s Ashes campaign, Ashton has been in fine form for Warrington and has helped them get to Old Trafford. Quick and elusive, as well as being a hard worker in yardage carries, the 28-year-old already has five England Test caps to his name.

6 George Williams, Warrington Wolves, stand-off

Another Warrington star back from serious injury, Williams has been impressive since returning to the field in August. McDermott has already publicly given his faith in the halfback and announced that he will be captain. After a difficult Ashes series, Williams will want to show the world his best before returning to the NRL.

7 Jake Connor, Leeds Rhinos, half-back/full-back

The 2025 Man of Steel winner is a livewire and a maverick who should have played for England last year. For some reason he wasn’t selected, but McDermott won’t make the same mistake as his predecessor. Connor has been electric for Leeds for two years and has the skills to unlock defences down under.

8 Luke Thompson, Wigan Warriors, prop

Another player who missed out on international selection last year, Thompson has been in great touch for Wigan in 2026. With his physicality, line speed and toughness, the prop is a must for the World Cup squad. A winner, and with a previous spell down under with the Bulldogs, he knows Aussie conditions better than most.

9 Brad O’Neill, Wigan Warriors, hooker

This year’s Super League Man of Steel, O’Neill has been a standout on home shores. With his passing, defensive strength and aggression, the 24-year-old hooker will add some starch to the pack. A different style of hooker from Jez Litten, the Wigan man will relish testing himself against the best in the world.

10 Mike McMeeken, Wakefield Trinity, prop/second row

The elder statesman of the England team at 32, McMeeken will be heading to his third consecutive World Cup. Regardless of age, the front-rower has continued to excel in the middle of the field. Helping Wakefield into a grand final, and with the ability to play in the second-row too, the Basingstoke-born forward is a strong selection.

11 Morgan Smithies, Canberra Raiders, second row/loose forward

Smithies plies his trade down under, so he is used to playing against the best players in the world week in, week out. The 25-year-old former Wigan back-rower has thrived at Canberra over the past three seasons and caught the eye in the Ashes series last year against the Kangaroos.

12 Junior Nsemba, Wigan Warriors, second row

Another player who will be eager to make up for missing the Ashes is Wigan’s Junior Nsemba. Tall, explosive and athletic, Nsemba has the running game and the strength to hurt England’s opponents. At just 22, the best of the second-rower is yet to come.

13 Victor Radley, Sydney Roosters, loose forward/second row

The loose forward from Bronte controversially missed last year’s Ashes because of suspension, but he will be fit and firing for the World Cup. Eligible through his Barnsley-born father, Radley might have an Aussie twang but is passionate about his heritage. The NRL enforcer is a key figure in this side.

14 Jez Litten, Hull KR, hooker

A World Club Challenge winner in February, Litten has endured a difficult season at his club Hull KR. But with his running game, passing ability and smarts, the hooker from the East Riding is bound to make an impact at the World Cup. Either off the bench or starting, Litten is an attacking threat.

15 Morgan Knowles, the Dolphins, loose forward/prop

Knowles swapped St Helens for Brisbane at the end of 2025 and has caught the eye in his first year in the NRL. Hard as nails and as relentless as a honey badger, the tough forward can play both in the middle and at loose forward. A player in the mould of his coach McDermott.

16 Max King, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, prop

Born in Huddersfield to an English mother, uncapped King moved to Australia at the age of seven and learned his trade in the Hunter region. The prop broke into the NRL in 2017 and has made three State of Origin appearances for the Blues, displaying his mettle and durability in that high-pressure arena.

17 Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wakefield Trinity, prop

Another heritage player keen to make his mark is Wakefield’s X-factor Hamlin-Uele. The bullocking forward has been outstanding for Trinity this year and was rightfully named in Super League’s Dream Team. Born in Auckland with dual Samoan and English heritage, Hamlin-Uele is keen to represent his English grandparents on the international stage.

18 Harry Smith, Wigan Warriors, half-back

The Warriors playmaker has had a special year for his club side, despite failing to reach the Super League grand final. An expert kicker and organiser, Smith is an experienced campaigner at international level. As a safe pair of hands, he offers England stability and composure in the halves.

19 AJ Brimson, Gold Coast Titans, full-back/centre/stand-off

Brimson debuted for England last year and has the versatility to cover fullback, centre and stand-off. From the Gold Coast but with a mother from Surrey, the 28-year-old hasn’t had the best of seasons in the NRL but has surely built a close relationship with England head coach McDermott, who is also an assistant with the Titans.

20 James McDonnell, Leeds Rhinos, second row

McDonnell might have played for Ireland at the 2022 World Cup, but the forward was born and raised in Wigan and is keen to represent his homeland. The 26-year-old has excelled at Leeds this year, with his defensive contributions and edge running, and with Kai Pearce-Paul injured, he will make a handy replacement.

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21 Zack Eckersley, Wigan Warriors, winger/centre/full-back

Another uncapped face would be Wigan youngster Eckersley. He might only be 22, but the flyer from Oldham has been brilliant for the Warriors. Tall, strong and good in the air, Eckersley can cover wing, fullback and centre. A real Mr Fix It in the backline.

22 Mikolaj Oledzki, Leeds Rhinos, prop

Adding some grunt to the front-row is Leeds’ forward Mikolaj Oledzki. The prop has been very good for the Rhinos in 2026, and is swapping west Yorkshire for Western Australia as he joins new NRL side the Perth Bears. A hard worker who won’t let anyone down.

23 Ethan Harvard, Wigan Warriors, prop

Rounding out the pack is another Wiganer in Ethan Harvard. With a big engine and unafraid to get his hands dirty in the middle of the field, Harvard will be keen to make up for that 3-0 Ashes whitewash.