'More than just sticking my hand up': Inside Brailey's England dream

Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey hopes to honour his late grandmother by representing England at Rugby League World Cup 2026 after being selected in a preliminary 38-man squad.

Brailey, whose mother Carla was born in Liverpool, is one of four uncapped NRL players in the England squad, along with Bulldogs prop Max King, Roosters centre Billy Smith and Broncos forward Ben Talty.

The 30-year-old has put his hand up to play for England in the past without attracting any  interest until the recent appointment of Brian McDermott, who is on the Titans coaching staff.

“It's more than just sticking my hand up, just because I can, for the World Cup,” Brailey said.

“It definitely means a lot to me, and if I can play some good footy and make that next cut leading into the World Cup, it would be a dream come true.”

Brailey's grandmother had always been supportive of his desire to play for England and he said she would be thrilled to know he was now on the cusp of playing at the World Cup.

If Brailey does get the chance to pull on the England jersey at RLWC2026 he would do so in her honour.

“I always have been vocal about representing England one day, and it's always been in the back of my mind,” Brailey said.

“Every year I run out with the English flag around my neck on Multicultural Round, and it means a lot to my family.

“It's always been a really important part of my identity. My mum’s a Pom and my nan was a Pom as well.

“She passed away at the end of last year, so I've always had a really special place in my heart for England.

“Every time I ran out with that English flag, she'd always text me. I knew how much it meant to her.

“I'd spoken about in the press, as well, and there was a newspaper article that once came out about the possibility of me representing England, and she was over the moon.

“She kept that snippet in the paper, and it's probably still at her place now. It would definitely be special to honour those two (his mum and grandmother) because they're both very special in my life.”

Brailey's brother Blayke is also eligible for England but is in line to play for Australia after being a member of the Kangaroos squad in last year's Ashes series, although he didn't play.