Brian McDermott announces 38-man pool of players ahead of 2026 World Cup

England Rugby League head coach Brian McDermott has named a 38-man performance programme pool ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which will be held in Australia. The squad includes ten uncapped players, among them Wakefield Trinity's Jake Trueman and Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Wigan's Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, and several NRL-based players including Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King and Canberra Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey. Notable returning player Jake Connor, the reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel, has been recalled to the international setup after a seven-year absence.