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England's Rugby League World Cup opening match against Tonga will see Harry Smith and captain George Williams starting as half-backs, with Mikey Lewis excluded from the initial lineup despite being part of the squad. The coach, Brian McDermott, has also chosen AJ Brimson over Jack Welsby for the full-back position, aiming to include heritage players in his selection strategy.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-13,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Brian McDermott, the head coach of England's Rugby League team, selected Harry Smith alongside captain George Williams for the half-back roles in their World Cup opener against Tonga on Saturday. Notably, Mikey Lewis was left out entirely despite initially beating 2025 Super League Man Of Steel Jake Connor for a place on the squad. England will face Tonga in Perth, followed by matches against France and Papua New Guinea later this month. McDermott also chose AJ Brimson, an Australia-born player who qualifies through heritage, as one of four such players selected to ensure a strong squad lineup.
Written for “England Rugby League World Cup Team” on 2026-10-13,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
- Published
Harry Smith has been named alongside captain George Williams in England's half-back roles for their Rugby League World Cup opening match against Tonga - with Mikey Lewis left out.
Lewis, who pipped 2025 Super League Man Of Steel Jake Connor to a place in England's squad, has not even made the bench for Saturday's fixture.
asserted
who → publish → fixture
Hull KR's Lewis, who endured an inconsistent year, did enough to convince England head coach Brian McDermott that he should join captain Williams, the Warrington stand-off, and Wigan's Smith as half-back options.
asserted
he → endure → options
But he will be one of three players, along with Ben Currie and Ben Talty, listed as non-playing reserves.
asserted
he → list → reserves
England face Tonga in Perth on Saturday, before taking on France in the same city on 24 October and then Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October.
asserted
England → face → October
McDermott, who succeeded Shaun Wane in April, has also made a major selection call at full-back.
asserted
who → succeed → back
AJ Brimson has been chosen ahead of Jack Welsby in the key role for England's first game in Group B-C.
McDermott indicated that he was keen to use heritage players - those who qualify for England through family background - to ensure the strongest possible squad.
And Australia-born Brimson - who made his England debut in last year's Ashes series against the Kangaroos - is one of four such players in the squad, alongside England debutant Max King.
asserted
who → choose → King
Bulldogs prop King, born in Huddersfield while his Australian father David was a player there, features alongside fellow debutant Hugo Savala, part of Sydney Roosters' NRL Grand Final-winning squad.
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father → bear → squad
All of the men's and women's teams for the first round of matches between Thursday and Sunday were announced on Tuesday at 06:00 BST.
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All → announce → BST
England women's coach Stu Barrow named his squad for their opener against Wales on Saturday in Perth.
asserted
Barrow → name → Perth
Jasmin Strange and Connie Boyd will make their international debuts, while uncapped Hope Millard is among the interchanges.
asserted
Millard → make → interchanges
More follows.
asserted
More → follow → ?
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