Brian McDermott announces 38-man pool of players ahead of 2026 World Cup

Brian McDermott has today revealed 38 players who will start out on his England performance programme ahead of this year’s World Cup. 

McDermott, who was appointed England head coach in April, has brought together a pool of potential squad candidates as he prepares for the tournament down under. 

There are ten uncapped players involved in his first pick including Wakefield Trinity duo Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wigan pair Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR second-row Dean Hadley plus St Helens centre Harry Robertson.  From the NRL, potential debutants are Canterbury Bulldogs and New South Wales State of Origin prop Max King – who was born in Huddersfield - plus Canberra Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey, Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith and Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Talty. 

As expected, reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel Jake Connor is recalled to the international arena after a seven-year absence.  McDermott said: “I’ve enjoyed the process of looking throughout Super League and the NRL for players who could potentially play for England in the 2026 World Cup. 

“It is clear there is a raft of talent available at our disposal and it’s encouraging to see the sort of player who could be lining up for us in a few months’ time. 

“As well as plenty of seasoned Test players who we all know about, there are some new faces on the international scene, including Jake Trueman, Dean Hadley and Zach Eckersley.  “They have all earned places on the programme for their consistent excellence in Super League. 

“Caleb Hamlin-Uele, who was born in Auckland but qualifies for England through heritage, is another who ticks that box. 

“From the NRL, there’s further players who I have seen first-hand who are performing well and who have expressed a desire to represent England via the heritage rule: Max King, Jayden Brailey, Billy Smith and Ben Talty. 

“It’s an exciting time as we continue our preparations and build-up towards the opening game against Tonga. 

“Obviously, this is still just the first group of players we’ve selected: there is still plenty of opportunity for others to play their way into contention before the World Cup squad is announced.” 

Wigan have the biggest contingent of representatives with eight included in McDermott’s initial plans.  Super League joint-leaders Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves both have four players each as do St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.  England’s World Cup campaign kicks off versus Tonga in Perth on October 17. 

England 38-man performance programme group: Nsemba, Havard, Thompson, Walters, O’Neill, Wardle, H Smith, Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors), Watkins, Oledzki, Handley, Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Currie, Walker, Williams, Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers),  Hadley, Litten, Lewis (all Hull KR), Smithies, J Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Radley, B Smith (both Sydney Roosters), Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Welsby, Walmsley, Clark, Robertson (all St Helens), Knowles, Farnworth (both Dolphins), McMeeken, Hamlin-Uele, Trueman, Johnstone (all Wakefield), King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Young (Newcastle Knights).