Wigan Warriors ace Harry Smith reveals World Cup goal - ‘It can’t get much better than that’

Harry Smith has outlined his determination to be part of England’s Rugby League World Cup squad this autumn as the Wigan Warriors star targets the pinnacle of the international game.

The 26-year-old halfback is one of eight Wigan players named in Brian McDermott’s 38-man England performance squad ahead of the tournament, which will be staged across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand later this year.

England begin their campaign against Tonga in Perth on October 17, and after earning nine caps since making his international debut in 2023, Smith is eager to experience his first World Cup.

“Massively,” Smith said when asked how much he wants to be part of England’s World Cup squad.

“Obviously, I’ve tasted playing for my country over the last three years, it’s definitely the pinnacle and one of the greatest moments I’ll achieve, playing for my country, so to be able to do that in a World Cup over in Australia... I don’t think it can get much better than that.

“But obviously you see the competition in my position at the moment, so I’ve just got to keep playing well for Wigan and what will be will be, but I can only control what I can control, which is playing well for Wigan.”

The Warriors playmaker general is among five recognised halfbacks included in McDermott’s extended squad, alongside Jake Connor, Jake Trueman, Mikey Lewis and captain George Williams.

With the squad set to be trimmed to around 24 players ahead of the tournament, Smith believes the competition for places will help drive standards higher during the second half of the season.

“100 per cent,” he said. “You do want to try to play well and build momentum into the backend of the season, but especially with what’s going on at the end of the year, you obviously want to be there, and the only way to get there really is to be playing well for Wigan and being in big games.

“So if I can do that, then I can only control the controllables, playing well, owning my own performance and getting Wigan in big games, so that is just my focus now for the rest of the season.”

Smith will also be working under a new England head coach after McDermott’s recent appointment.

The Widnesian never crossed paths with the former Leeds Rhinos boss during his earlier spells as a coach in Super League but is looking forward to learning from him.

“I’ve never (dealt with him),” Smith said. “I’d only just started part-time training with the first-team at Wigan (when he left Leeds), so I unfortunately never had any dealings with him, so it’s one thing to look forward to, new ideas.

“Obviously he knows what he is on about with what he did at Leeds and now in the NRL, so to get new ideas and new ways of thinking is only going to help me as a player if I do manage to get picked.”

Smith also believes the depth now available to England can only benefit the national team moving forward.

“100 per cent, that’s what we need,” he said.

“We need the game to grow, we need competition for places, we need every team in Super League, all 14 teams, being able to beat anyone on any given day, so the more that happens over here, the better.

“The competition is really good, I’ve played with George and Mikey, and I feel like our games suit quite well with their running threat and off-the-cuff style, whereas I can be more of an organiser and get them in the right positions.

“There are so many different options, and it’s just exciting for me, the club and the country to have so many good options.”