Predicting England’s World Cup squad with tough Hull KR decisions as official head coach announcement imminent.
Hull KR’s Jez Litten was one of England’s standouts in an otherwise disappointing Ashes series with Australia in 2025.
The Rugby Football League is set to officially announce England’s next head coach this week, finally beginning preparations for this year’s World Cup.
Four-time Super League Grand Final-winning coach Brian McDermott is expected to be appointed, succeeding Shaun Wane. The most decorated head coach in Super League history, McDermott is currently working as an assistant at Gold Coast Titans under Josh Hannay, having previously moved to Australia with Newcastle Knights following spells with Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone Rovers.
With a head coach set to be in place, attention will turn to potential squad selections, including whether Jake Connor will make the travelling party. The 2025 Man of Steel was not selected by former boss Wane for last year’s Ashes series, in which the Kangaroos claimed a 3-0 whitewash on English soil.
Connor faces fierce competition from the likes of Hull KR star Mikey Lewis, Wigan’s Harry Smith and Warrington captain George Williams for places in what is expected to be a 24-player squad for this year’s tournament.
England will kick off their campaign on October 17 against Tonga in Perth, before facing France and Papua New Guinea. The World Cup final will be staged at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium on November 15.
Matty Ashton missed last year’s international schedule due to an ACL injury but has recently returned for Warrington Wolves with five tries in Super League. Fellow wingers Tom Johnstone, Joe Burgess and Dom Young have also impressed, while young St Helens outside-back Harry Robertson features in our predicted squad.
Jack Welsby is currently sidelined through injury, although his full-back role was filled by AJ Brimson during last year’s Ashes for the second and third Tests. The 27-year-old has worked closely with McDermott at the Titans in 2026, though he has primarily featured in the centres for the NRL side.
Kallum Watkins retains his place, offering versatility and experience, while Wigan’s Junior Nsemba returns after missing out last year.
With Victor Radley available, returning from a club suspension in recent weeks, and Morgan Knowles now plying his trade in the NRL with Dolphins, influential Hull KR skipper Elliot Minchella just misses out, alongside influential members Dean Hadley and James Batchelor.
Predicted England 24-player squad
Matty Ashton, AJ Brimson, Jake Connor, Herbie Farnworth, Ethan Havard, Tom Johnstone, Morgan Knowles, Mikey Lewis, Matty Lees, Jez Litten, Mike McMeeken, Junior Nsemba, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Harry Robertson, Morgan Smithies, Luke Thompson, Dom Young, Jake Wardle, Danny Walker, Kallum Watkins, George Williams, Jack Welsby.