Eight Wigan Warriors players in 38-strong England performance squad ahead of Rugby League World Cup

England coach Brian McDermott has named a 38-strong performance programme ahead of this year’s Rugby League World Cup - with Wigan Warriors having the biggest contingent of representatives included.

A total of eight Wigan players have been included in McDermott’s initial plans, with Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith and Zach Eckersley being selected.

McDermott, who was appointed England head coach in April, has brought together a pool of potential squad candidates as he prepares for the World Cup, which takes place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea this autumn.

McDermott has included 10 uncapped players in his first squad pick, including the aforementioned Wigan duo Walters and Eckersley. Wakefield Trinity duo Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin-Uele have also been selected, as well as Hull KR back-rower Dean Hadley and St Helens centre Harry Robertson.

From the NRL, potential debutants are Canterbury Bulldogs and New South Wales prop Max King, who was born in Huddersfield, plus Canberra Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey, Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith and Brisbane Broncos prop Ben Talty.

Meanwhile, reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel Jake Connor is recalled to the England setup after a seven-year absence.

McDermott said: “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. 

“It is clear there is a raft of talent available at our disposal, and it’s encouraging to see the sort of player who could be lining up for us in a few months’ time. 

“As well as plenty of seasoned Test players who we all know about, there are some new faces on the international scene, including Jake Trueman, Dean Hadley and Zach Eckersley. They have all earned places on the programme for their consistent excellence in Super League.  Caleb Hamlin-Uele, who was born in Auckland but qualifies for England through heritage, is another who ticks that box. 

“From the NRL, there are further players who I have seen first-hand who are performing well and who have expressed a desire to represent England via the heritage rule: Max King, Jayden Brailey, Billy Smith and Ben Talty. 

“It’s an exciting time as we continue our preparations and build-up towards the opening game against Tonga. Obviously, this is still just the first group of players we’ve selected: there is still plenty of opportunity for others to play their way into contention before the World Cup squad is announced.”

Wigan have the most representatives in McDermott’s performance squad with eight, while Super League joint-leaders Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves both have four players each, as do St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.

England 38-man performance squad: Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Zach Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors),  Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Ash Handley, Jake Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Ben Currie, Danny Walker, George Williams, Matty Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers),  Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis (all Hull KR), Morgan Smithies, Jayden Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Victor Radley, Billy Smith (both Sydney Roosters), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Welsby, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Harry Robertson (all St Helens), Morgan Knowles, Herbie Farnworth (both Dolphins), Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jake Trueman, Tom Johnstone (all Wakefield), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights).

England will kick off their World Cup campaign on October 17 against Tonga in Perth.