Rugby League World Cup: Mikey Lewis has been left out of England's opening match against Tonga
Mikey Lewis has been left out of England's squad for their Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga, while Jack Welsby has been named on the bench by head coach Brian McDermott.
Hull KR's Lewis, who edged 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor for a place in England's squad, has been named among the three reserves alongside Ben Currie and Ben Talty, leaving him set to miss out on selection.
Welsby had been widely tipped to start at full-back, but McDermott has instead opted for Gold Coast Titans star AJ Brimson.
- McDermott explains Connor exclusion and Lewis inclusion for World Cup
- McDermott names England's 23-player squad for World Cup
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Wigan winger Zach Eckersley is set to make his international debut after being selected ahead of Matty Ashton, while fellow Warriors team-mate Sam Walters is also named to start.
NRL Premiership winner Victor Radley returns to the England side for the first time since the 2024 series victory over Samoa, while his Sydney Roosters team-mate Hugo Savala is in line to earn his first international cap.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King is also set to make his first start for England following another impressive season in Australia.
Super League Grand Finalist George Williams, who is set to join the Dolphins, will captain the side and partner Harry Smith in the halves.
Brad O'Neill also returns to the England team after earning his only cap in the 2024 mid-season international against France.
'Mikey will get his World Cup chance'
McDermott admits he views Lewis as a stand-off, a position currently occupied by captain Williams, but has not ruled out giving the Hull KR half-back an opportunity against either Papua New Guinea or France as he looks to add to his eight international caps.
"The most obvious reason is Harry is a seven and Mikey is a six, more than he is a generic half," McDermott said when asked to explain the decision to pick Smith ahead of Lewis.
"Harry is a good controlling seven and he will co-ordinate the team around the park. But Mikey will bide his time and he will get a shot at some stage during the tournament, I'm sure."
He added: "With the way we're going to play and the way I envisage us to play it suits Mikey Lewis' game. I don't think me picking Harry Smith at seven or George at six would particularly raise eyebrows. He's on board with us and he knows the position he's in. He's got humility to add to the group."
England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O'Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.
Interchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.
Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tolutau Koula, Robert To'ia, Jojo Fifita, Latu Fainu, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua-Blake, Soni Luke, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau'atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell.
Interchange: Salesi Foketi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, Tuimoala Lolohea, Paul Alamoti.
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Strange and Boyd 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 young forward Hope Millard are all in line to make their senior international debuts.
Australia-born Strange joins the squad after featuring in her fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final and has already won premierships with both the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
Reigning Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister has been named on the interchange bench and is set to make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors half-back has scored in each of her first two senior internationals and registered nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions in 2026.
Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she scored three tries in four appearances. The full-back is one of three NRLW-based players selected, alongside Newcastle Knights half-back 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 is set to captain England at her fourth World Cup.
Strange is one of five NRLW players included in the squad, along with Canterbury Bulldogs prop Millard, Knights playmaker Georgia Roche, Cowboys full-back Fran Goldthorp and Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.
"It was responsibility of mine to make sure we got the balance right," Barrow said regarding the heritage players in his squad after eligibility rules were relaxed last year. "Their commitment to England was really good. To bring them in, they had to be right type of people but it feels justified, they're really good people."
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England Women: 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.
Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard.
Wales Women: 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.
Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.