Are England World Cup Contenders or Pretenders?
As the season draws to a close in the domestic leagues, Wakefield Trinity and the Sydney Roosters emerged as champions. A new dawn for England Rugby League dawns as Brian McDermott takes the reins ahead of the Rugby League World Cup sequence in 2026. But the question is on everybody's lips. Will this England team be contenders, or will there be more disappointment for England?
As expected, the 12-time winners Australia are favourites to win the whole competition. However, going into the 2026 World Cup, I don't believe they are going to come out victorious. That could possibly come back to haunt me. However, the likes of New Zealand and Tonga are strengthening. With Samoa as well as the rest, it will get awfully tasty when it gets to the knockout stages of the competition.
Brian McDermott takes over as England Head Coach after an underperforming Ashes series where Shaun Wane was in charge. A clean sweep for the Australian outfit made England look like schoolboys, and McDermott will want to get revenge for that in this World Cup.
(Australia lifting the 2022 World Cup)
It has probably been a long time since the majority of supporters over here have heard the name Brian McDermott. The Wakefield lad growing up has been a mammoth in the Rugby League world in the past 15 years, ever since taking over Leeds Rhinos in 2011 from Brian McClennan. McDermott went on to win four Grand Finals in his time in West Yorkshire, with his most famous one winning the treble back in 2015.
He has been a stonewall personnel in Rugby League, but after his sacking in 2018 after seven straight losses. The 56-year-old had time at Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone Rovers before moving down under to take the assistant role at Newcastle Knights, where he now finds himself at Gold Coast Titans.
Brian McDermott has all the credentials to be the one to finally "Bring it Home," which has never happened before, to a sole England team. But there are plenty of obstacles to face before then, and with no prior game time with each other. It could lead to a very difficult time for the red and white outfit.
Of course, none of the international teams have played with each other so far. But the majority of these teams have played under the same system for years. To never have played under McDermott's roster, only time will tell, but it may be difficult for England straight away. But my word, haven't they got some talent in that team.
How good is it to have Herbie Farmworth on your side? You would probably not argue that he is the best centre in the world at the moment. With 15 tries, 9 assists and 15 line breaks, this season for the 26-year-old has probably been his best season so far. He led the Dolphins to their first-ever NRL Grand Final and was named in the Dally M Team of the Season award.
You can't forget about that dynamic winger in Dominic Young too who has starred all year for the Newcastle Knights and took them to the Grand Final but agonising missing out to the Sydney Roosters.
England's back-line is spot on. Eckelsey has had a superb year for Wigan and thoroughly deserves his chance with his 27 tries this season. With Brimson and Salavia as well. There has been a lot of talk about Aussies representing England and that it should just be English, but if they are passionate and willing to fight. They deserve a shot, and these boys will. The likes of King, Radley, AJ. These lads will do us a world of good with their NRL experience.
The half-back pairing of Harry Smith and George Williams is perfect. I didn't think Williams would play again this season, never mind captaining his captain in the World Cup. He has been second to none in his return from that horrendous neck injury that he suffered at Catalan away in April. Having former Man of Steel Mikey Lewis as a backup as well isn't too bad, and he will want to prove a point after a season where it didn't go right for him.
No, Jake Connor obviously sparked headlines. I was very surprised he didn't get a look in, but it is all about these 23 players now to do the country proud.
Onto the pack. It may not match the physical presence of the Pacific nations. But there are some aggressive forwards there, and they most certainly won't take a backwards step with a "bash squad" of Victor Radley and current Man of Steel Brad O'Neil in the middle. Morgan Knowles alongside them isn't a bad forward to have next to you.
This England team could go far. But heartbreak in the past three World Cup campaigns will certainly add fire to the bellies of the England camp. From that Shaun Johnson try in 2013. To the last time they were down under with that agonising ankle-tap on Kallum Watkins from Josh Dugan. Then the pulse-rating game at the Emirates in 2022 where Stephen Critchton sent Samoa into a historic final in Golden Point.
The only thing beating this team is if they beat themselves. They could absolutely go all the way. No question about that. But keep to yourselves, stay under the radar, and just play your game. You could probably get carried away too much, but it's an excellent team, and if Brian McDermott can get the team firing, who knows what can happen.
Whatever happens. This is still a mostly populated young team so they will come again. They have beaten Samoa and Tonga since the last World Cup, They have beat New Zealand on home soil back in 2018. They have the confidence, they need to show it now on a big stage. This is where you do it.
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