Mikey Lewis has been ruled out of England’s Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga, while Jack Welsby has been named on the bench by manager Brian McDermott.
Hull KR’s Lewis, who edged out 2025 Super League Man of the Year Jake Connor for a place in the England squad, was among three substitutes alongside Ben Currie and Ben Talty, ruling him out of selection.
Jack Welsby was widely tipped to start at fullback, but McDermott 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, with Warriors team-mate Sam Walters also starting.
NRL Premiership winner Victor Radley returns to the England side for the first time since victory over Samoa in 2024, while his Sydney Roosters team-mate Hugo Savala is set to earn his first international cap.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King is also set to make his first start for England after another impressive season in Australia.
Set to join the Dolphins, Super League Grand Finalist George Williams will captain the side and partner Harry Smith in parts.
Brad O’Neill returns to the England squad in 2024 after earning his only international cap in mid-season against France.
England Men: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kay Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.
Exchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.
Strange and Boyd prepare for their international debut
England Women’s manager Stu Barrow has announced her squad for Saturday’s World Cup opener against Wales in Perth.
Jasmin Strange, Connie Boyd and Hope Millard are all set to make their senior international debuts.
Strange joins the squad after appearing in his fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final and has already won premierships with both the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
Reigning Lady of the Steel Jenna Fubister has been named on the bench and is set to make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors midfielder has scored in each of his first two senior internationals and has scored nine tries in 18 appearances in all competitions in 2026.
Fran Goldthorpe returns to the England squad for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where he scored three tries in four games. The defender is one of three NRLW-based players to be selected, along with Newcastle Knights midfielder Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.
Amelia Brown will also make her first England appearance since scoring a hat-trick on debut against Wales at AMT Headingley in November 2024, while Jody Cunningham will captain England to a fourth World Cup.
England Women: Fran Goldthorpe, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Holly-May Dodd, Jasmine Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
Exchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Fubister, 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.
Exchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.