Harry Smith has been named alongside captain George Williams in England’s half-back roles for their Rugby League World Cup opening match against Tonga – with Mikey Lewis left out.
Lewis, who pipped 2025 Super League Man Of Steel Jake Connor to a place in England’s squad, has not even made the bench for Saturday’s fixture.
Hull KR’s Lewis, who endured an inconsistent year, did enough to convince England head coach Brian McDermott that he should join captain Williams, the Warrington stand-off, and Wigan’s Smith as half-back options.
But he will be one of three players, along with Ben Currie and Ben Talty, listed as non-playing reserves.
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England face Tonga in Perth on Saturday (10:05 BST), before taking on France in the same city on 24 October and then Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October.
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, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.
Interchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.
McDermott, who succeeded Shaun Wane in April, has also made a major selection call at full-back.
AJ Brimson has been chosen ahead of Jack Welsby in the key role for England’s first game in Group B-C – a combined pool of six teams, from which the top two will go through to the semi-finals early next month.
McDermott indicated that he was keen to use heritage players – those who qualify for England through family background – to ensure the strongest possible squad.
And Brisbane-born Brimson – who made his England debut in last year’s Ashes series against Australia – is one of four such players in the squad, alongside England debutant Max King.
Bulldogs prop King, born in Huddersfield while his Australian father David was a player there, features alongside fellow debutant Hugo Savala, part of Sydney Roosters’ NRL Grand Final-winning squad. Victor Radley is also in the XIII.
All of the men’s and women’s teams for the first round of matches between Thursday and Sunday were announced on Tuesday at 06:00 BST.
England women’s coach Stu Barrow named his squad for their opener against Wales on Saturday in Perth (07:35 BST).
Jasmin Strange and Connie Boyd will make their international debuts, while uncapped Hope Millard is among the interchanges.
Opponents Wales will give a debut to second-row forward Paige Travis – who played for England at the last World Cup four years ago.
Tayla Preston – who captains Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL Women’s Premiership – will start at scrum-half, with former rugby union international Ffion Lewis alongside her at stand-off, while Hannah Bluck will represent Wales at a fourth different sport.
Bluck has won senior Wales honours in rugby union as well as gaining junior rank recognition in football and basketball.
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.
Walsh pips Tedesco to Australia full-back role
Reece Walsh impressed during last autumn’s Ashes but has had a testing club season with Brisbane Broncos [Getty Images]
Reece Walsh has been selected ahead of James Tedesco at full-back for Australia – co-hosts and men’s World Cup favourites – as they face New Zealand in the tournament’s opening match on Thursday (10:05 BST).
Walsh was the star player in Australia’s 3-0 Ashes series whitewash of England last year, but has endured a tougher 2026.
Injury has prevented Walsh from playing since August 15, while Tedesco won the Clive Churchill medal for best player in the 2026 Australian National Rugby League Grand Final.
But head coach Kevin Walters has stuck with Walsh in a backline that includes Test debutant Jack Bostock on one wing and Tom Trbojevic on the other.
Loose forward Isaah Yeo has delayed surgery on a torn pectoral muscle to captain Australia.
But star half-back Nathan Cleary is out of the tournament with a broken ankle.
Australia men: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Latrell Mitchell, Kotoni Staggs, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Moses, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo
Interchanges: Tom Dearden, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Keaon Koloamatangi, David Fifita, Bradman Best
New Zealand men: Kalyn Ponga, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Highes, James Fisher-Harris, Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali’i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine
Interchanges: Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Keano Kini