Rugby League World Cup: Mikey Lewis has been left out of England's opening match against Tonga

Mikey Lewis has been left out of England's Rugby League World Cup opening match against Tonga by head coach Brian McDermott, while Jack Welsby has only made the bench.

Hull KR's Lewis, who edged 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor for a place in England's squad, has been named among the three reserves alongside Ben Currie and Ben Talty, leaving him set to miss out on selection.

Jack Welsby had been widely tipped to start at full-back, but head coach Brad McDermott has instead opted for Gold Coast Titans star AJ Brimson.

• McDermott explains Connor exclusion and Lewis inclusion for World Cup
• McDermott names England's 23-player squad for World Cup
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Wigan winger Zach Eckersley is set to make his international debut after being selected ahead of Matty Ashton, while fellow Warriors team-mate Sam Walters is also named to start.

NRL Premiership winner Victor Radley returns to the England side for the first time since the 2024 series victory over Samoa, while his Sydney Roosters team-mate Hugo Savala is in line to earn his first international cap.

Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King is also set to make his first start for England following another impressive season in Australia.

Super League Grand Finalist George Williams, who is set to join the Dolphins, will captain the side and partner Harry Smith in the halves.

Brad O'Neill also returns to the England team after earning his only cap in the 2024 mid-season international against France.

England men: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O'Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.

Interchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.

Strange and Boyd set for international debuts

England Women's head coach Stu Barrow has named his squad for Saturday's World Cup opener against Wales in Perth, with kick-off scheduled for 7.35am (BST).

Jasmin Strange, Connie Boyd and Hope Millard are all in line to make their senior international debuts.

Strange joins the squad after featuring in her fourth consecutive NRLW Grand Final and has already won premierships with both the Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.

Reigning Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister has been named on the interchange bench and is set to make her World Cup debut. The 19-year-old Wigan Warriors half-back has scored in each of her first two senior internationals and registered nine tries in 18 appearances across all competitions in 2026.

Fran Goldthorp returns to the England side for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she scored three tries in four appearances. The full-back is one of three NRLW-based players selected, alongside Newcastle Knights half-back Georgia Roche and Canberra Raiders forward Hollie-Mae Dodd.

Amelia Brown is also in line to make her first England appearance since scoring a hat-trick on debut against Wales at AMT Headingley in November 2024, while Jodie Cunningham is set to captain England at her fourth World Cup.

England Women: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard.

Wales Women: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.

Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Rugby League World Cup: Mikey Lewis has been left out of England's opening match against Tonga