England announce 23-man squad for Rugby League World Cup

Mikey Lewis has made the cut for England’s 23-man squad for this month’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia despite a disappointing end to the Betfred Super League season.

Hull KR’s former Man of Steel suffered injury and disciplinary issues towards the end of the campaign in which defending champions Rovers crashed out in the first round of the play-offs.

However Lewis has been given the nod over half-back rival Jake Connor by new head coach Brian McDermott, which means there are no players from long-time league leaders Leeds in the squad.

Newly crowned Super League champions Wakefield are also not represented with Mike McMeeken, Tom Johnstone and Caleb Hamlin Uele all understood to have withdrawn due to injury, and half-back Jake Trueman overlooked.

Seven Wigan players are named in the squad, with three from Warrington – Matty Ashton and Ben Currie joining George Williams after their Grand Final disappointment.

Hugo Savala and Victor Radley join the squad fresh from helping Sydney lift the NRL Grand Final at the weekend, while fellow NRL duo Max King and Ben Talty are among five uncapped players to make the squad.

McDermott said: “We have selected the squad after a thorough and deliberate process, underpinned by a unique decentralised preparation model that has allowed us to work closely with the players well before they come together in camp.

“Throughout that process, we have challenged players to develop a deeper understanding of themselves – their strengths, their point of difference, the areas they need to improve and the standards required to perform at international level.”

England will kick off against Tonga on October 17 before also facing France and Papua New Guinea in the group stage, with all games broadcast live on Premier Sports in the UK.

England squad: Matty Ashton (Warrington); AJ Brimson (Gold Coast); Zach Eckersley (Wigan); Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins); Hugo Savala (Sydney); Jack Welsby (St Helens); Dom Young (Newcastle Knights); Mikey Lewis (Hull KR); Harry Smith (Wigan); George Williams (Warrington); Jez Litten (Hull KR); Brad O’Neill (Wigan); Ben Currie (Warrington); Ethan Havard (Wigan); Max King (Canterbury); Morgan Knowles (Dolphins); Junior Nsemba (Wigan); Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers); Victor Radley (Sydney); Morgan Smithies (Canberra); Ben Talty (Brisbane); Luke Thompson (Wigan); Sam Walters (Wigan).

Published: 05/10/2026 by Radio NewsHub