Jake Connor, the 31-year-old Man of Steel, is back in an England jersey after seven long years, a quiet redemption tucked within Brian McDermott’s 38-man performance squad ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup. The selection marks a fresh chapter under McDermott, who took the reins in January after Shaun Wane’s departure following England’s 3-0 Ashes defeat to Australia. This expanded squad isn’t just about familiar names—it’s a bold signal of renewal, with 10 uncapped players earning their first call-up, their eyes now fixed on October and November, when the World Cup will light up Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
England has never lifted the World Cup, and the sting of their 2021 semi-final loss to Samoa still lingers. But McDermott isn’t dwelling on past heartbreak. Instead, he’s casting a wide net, pulling talent from both Super League and the NRL to build depth and versatility. Among the newcomers are Wakefield Trinity’s dynamic duo Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wigan’s rising stars Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR’s hard-running second-row Dean Hadley, and St Helens’ promising centre Harry Robertson. These selections reflect not just form, but vision—a squad being shaped not only for this year, but for the future.
"I've enjoyed the process of looking throughout Super League and the NRL for players who could potentially play for England in the 2026 World Cup," McDermott said, underscoring his dual focus on immediate performance and long-term growth. His words carry weight: this 38-man group is not the final roster, but a launchpad. Players like Connor, once controversially omitted from the Ashes series, now have a second chance, while uncapped talents know their moment could come with a strong club season.
The inclusion of NRL-based players—such as Ben Smith and Luke Keary from the Sydney Roosters, Tyrone May from the Dolphins, and Jaiyden Hunt from the Canterbury Bulldogs—further illustrates the global reach of England’s selection. It’s a reminder that eligibility rules have opened doors, and McDermott is walking through them with purpose.
This squad doesn’t promise glory, but it does promise possibility. With veterans and newcomers sharing space, and a coach who sees beyond the next match, England’s rugby league future feels more inclusive, more ambitious. As the countdown to the World Cup begins, one truth stands clear: the path to silverware starts not with a single try, but with a list of 38 names—and the belief that any one of them could make the difference.