Brian McDermott has named his England performance squad.
Mikey Lewis has been selected in the England performance squad.
Brian McDermott has named his first England performance squad ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
McDermott, appointed as the nation’s new head coach in April, will take England to Australia this autumn, with his first game coming against Tonga in Perth on October 17.
And now the former Leeds Rhinos boss, currently working with NRL outfit Gold Coast Titans, has named his first extended squad with 38 players starting out on the performance programme ahead of the tournament.
That squad will be trimmed to around 24 players come the autumn, with a pool of players set to battle it out for a place on the plane Down Under.
In total, there are ten uncapped players named in the squad, including Hull KR forward Dean Hadley and Wakefield Trinity half-back Jake Trueman.
Trueman is joined by club teammate Caleb Hamlin-Uele, one of many heritage players included.
Canterbury Bulldogs and New South Wales State of Origin prop Max King – who was born in Huddersfield – is named, alongside Canberra Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey, Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith and Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Talty.
Elsewhere, Wigan Warriors pair Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley are named alongside St Helens centre Harry Robertson.
After a seven-year absence, Leeds Rhinos half-back Jake Connor is recalled to an England squad, with the maverick last featuring for his country as a Hull FC player back in 2018.
Victor Radley, who made his New South Wales debut last month, is also included, while another Australian-born player, AJ Brimson, is named.
Junior Nsemba, who was left out of the Ashes squad last year, is back in the fold, alongside England regulars Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten, Harry Smith, Herbie Farnworth and co.
Speaking on the 38-man squad, 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 are 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.”
Interestingly, Challenge Cup winners 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. Reigning champions Hull KR have three.
England 38-man performance programme group: Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Zach Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Ash Handley, Jake Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Ben Currie, Danny Walker, George Williams, Matty Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis (all Hull KR), Morgan Smithies, Jayden Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Victor Radley, Billy Smith (both Sydney Roosters), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Welsby, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Harry Robertson (all St Helens), Morgan Knowles, Herbie Farnworth (both Dolphins), Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jake Trueman, Tom Johnstone (all Wakefield), Matt King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).