Strange turns down England approach as NRL quartet commit
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Blues star Ethan Strange has confirmed that he knocked back an approach after his stunning Origin debut to play for England at Rugby League World Cup 2026.
New England coach Brian McDermott, who is on the Titans coaching staff, has chosen 11 NRL stars in a 38-man preliminary squad for RLWC2026, including NSW interchange forward Victor Radley.
Strange's Canberra team-mate Jayden Brailey is one of four new faces from the NRL in the England squad, along with Bulldogs prop Max King, Roosters centre Billy Smith and Broncos forward Ben Talty.
However, Strange - whose mother Adele was born and raised in Yorkshire - said he had turned down the opportunity to play for England, as well as New Zealand, for whom he also qualifies through his paternal grandmother.
Built for Origin
"I am committed to Australia," Strange said. "My mum is from England and my grandma is born and raised in New Zealand, as well, so it's cool to have that choice but I want to play for Australia if I get picked."
Brailey, King, Smith and Talty join Radley, Dolphins pair Herbie Farnworth and Morgan Knowles, Titans back AJ Brimson, Knights winger Dom Young, Wests Tigers secondrower Kai Pearce-Paul and Raiders forward Morgan Smithies in the England squad.
McDermott has also chosen Wakefield prop Caleb Hamlin-Uele, whose brother Braden plays for the Sharks.
“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," McDermott said.
“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."
King, who has played State of Origin for NSW and whose grandfather Johnny King is an Australian Rugby League Hall of Famer who played 15 Tests for the Kangaroos, was born in Huddersfield.
Brailey, whose brother Blayke toured England with the Kangaroos during last year's Ashes series but did not pay, has an English mother, while Talty also qualifies through his mother. Both of Smith's parents were born in London.
Caleb Hamlin-Uele qualifies for England on heritage grounds but Braden is ineligible as he has previously represented New Zealand, as well as Samoa.
They are among 10 uncapped players named by McDermott, including Wakefield playmaker Jake Trueman, Wigan pair Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR second-row Dean Hadley and St Helens centre Harry Robertson.
“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," McDermott said.
“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’s 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.”
England-eligible players not named in the squad include Penrith Panthers hooker Freddy Lussick and Wests Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth.
Blayke Brailey, who made his Origin debut for NSW in the series before breaking his arm playing for the Sharks and Maroons and Roosters halfback Sam Walker also qualify for England, along with Strange.
Brailey and Strange were members of the Kangaroos squad for last year's Ashes series but did not play so remain eligible for England, who kick off their World Cup campaign against Tonga at Perth's HBF Stadium on October 17.
Strange's sister Jasmin has put her hand up to play for England and is expected to meet with England coach Stuart Barrow when travels to Australia for NRLW Magic Round.
However, after starring in Origin I following a late call up into the Blues side to replace injured five-eighth Mitch Moses, Ethan is aiming for a place in the Australian squad under Kevin Walters at the World Cup.
England 38-man performance program 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), Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights).
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