Mikey Lewis has been left out of England’s World Cup opener against Tonga by manager Brian McDermott, while Jack Welsby has only made the bench.
Hull KR’s Lewis, who won over 2025 Super League Steeler Jake Connor for a place in the England squad, has been named among the three reserves along with Ben Currie and Ben Talty, leaving him to miss out on selection.
Jack Welsby had been widely tipped to start on the wing, but coach Brad McDermott has opted for Gold Coast Titans star AJ Brimson instead.
Wigan winger Zach Eckersley is set to make his international debut after being selected ahead of Matty Ashton, while Warriors team-mate Sam Walters is also set to start.
NRL Premiership winner Victor Radley returns to the England squad for the first time since the 2024 series win over Samoa, while his Sydney Roosters team-mate Hugo Savala is in line to win his first international cap.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King will also make his first start for England after another impressive season in Australia.
Super League Grand Finalist George Williams, who will join the Dolphins, will captain the side and partner Harry Smith at fly-half.
Brad O’Neill also returns to the England squad after earning his only cap in the 2024 mid-season international against France.
Men of England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.
Exchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.
Strange and Boyd are set for international debuts
England Women’s head coach Stu Barrow has named his squad for Saturday’s World Cup opener against Wales in Perth, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35am (BST).
Jasmin Strange, Connie Boyd and Hope Millard are all in line to make their international debut.
Strange joins the squad after appearing in her fourth consecutive NRLW grand final and has already won premierships with both the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
Royal steel woman Jenna Foubister has been named on the interchange bench and will make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors midfielder has scored in each of her first two senior international matches and has registered nine tries in 18 appearances in all competitions in 2026.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England squad for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where he scored three tries in four appearances. The full-back is one of three NRLW-based players selected, along with Newcastle Knights halfback Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.
Amelia Brown is also in line to make her first England appearance since scoring a hat-trick on debut against Wales at AMT Headingley in November 2024, while Jodie Cunningham will captain England in her fourth World Cup.
Women of England: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
Exchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard.
Women of Wales: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.
Exchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.
