What Brian McDermott has said about Wigan Warriors duo who are set for England debuts

England boss Brian McDermott has shared praise for Wigan Warriors duo Zach Eckersley and Sam Walters, who are both set to make their international debuts in Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga.

Eckersley has been selected to start on the wing, while Walters could feature from the bench as England begin their campaign in Perth.

The pair are among seven Wigan players named in McDermott’s first line-up as England coach, with Harry Smith, Brad O’Neill and Junior Nsemba also set to start. Front-rowers Luke Thompson and Ethan Havard have been named among the substitutes.

Eckersley heads into the tournament after an outstanding season with Wigan, scoring 36 tries in 32 appearances across all competitions after being handed the number two shirt ahead of the campaign. The 22-year-old was also named in the Super League Dream Team for the first time.

McDermott has been impressed by the youngster’s approach since joining the England camp.

“He’s quietly confident,” McDermott said of Eckersley.

“He is not the loudest guy in the group, but I’m sure with a couple of seasons of him, he will start to have a voice, but he’s had a great year on the field, and he’s held his own with us so far, for sure.”

Walters is also in line for his first England appearance after playing 19 games for Wigan this season.

The 6ft 7in forward endured a mixed campaign from an individual standpoint, receiving three suspensions which resulted in him missing 12 matches, but was a top performer in Matt Peet’s forward pack in the games he did play.

McDermott highlighted Walters’ physical presence and the approach both young players have taken since joining the international set-up.

“He catches your eye when he plays, doesn’t he? He’s a big thing - he’s a giant actually,” McDermott said of Walters.

“I mean, I’m tall, and there aren’t too many guys that I’ve got to look up to when I speak to them, so that catches your eye, and he’s not tall and gangly like me - he is actually a thick-set - so he is impressive to look at.

“I think for some of the young fellas like Zach and Sam, they don’t want to be a wallflower - they don’t want to come on camp and just be really quiet, but at the same time, they want to be really respectful as well - they want to wait their turn and earn their stripes and go through that chain of command.

“Zach Eckersley and Sam Walters, I think they’re getting it right when needed. They’re vocal when needed - they take responsibility in owning things - but when a couple of big dogs walk in the room, they doff their cap and stand to attention and know where their place is.”

McDermott has also explained his decision to run with Smith alongside England captain George Williams in the halves, with Mikey Lewis set to wait for his opportunity during the tournament.

“The most obvious reason – Harry is a seven, and Mikey is a six more than he is a generic half,” McDermott added.

“Harry is a really good controlling seven, he is an on-the-ball seven, he will coordinate our team around the park. George is an outstanding six and Mikey will wait his turn and get some shot during the tournament, I’m sure, so that’s nice and simple.

“It’s only early but the way that we’re going to play, the way that I want us to play, the way I envisage us being good is that it suits Mikey Lewis’ game - (but) I don’t think me picking Harry Smith at seven or George at six would have raised too many eyebrows.

“Mikey is on board, he knows the position he’s in, and he has got more than enough humility to add to the group if he’s not in the actual 13 that are running onto the field.

“He knows there is a role to play throughout the week, providing opposition especially, but in support of Harry and George, so he’ll be good.”