Red, White and Rooster: Savala joins Radley, Smith in England squad
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Sydney Roosters playmaker Hugo Savala is set to join team-mates Victor Radley and Billy Smith in the England team for Rugby League World Cup 2026 after being added to Brian McDermott's performance squad.
Savala and Leigh Leopards centre Umyla Hanley - the son of the legendary Ellery Hanley - are the latest inclusions in the England squad as McDermott continues preparations for RLWC26.
Like Radley and Smith, Savala was born and raised in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs but he qualifies for England through his English mum Teresa, while father Scott is Scottish.
Brother Charlie has represented Scotland in rugby union.
Savala shines at centre
“I’m eligible to play. My mum’s born in England and my dad’s Scottish," Savala told The Sydney Morning Herald before last year's Ashes series.
My family are from the UK and my grandparents and cousins live over there. If I ever got the opportunity, it would be great.
"I’ve obviously got a lot of family over there, my dad and mum are from England, it could be pretty cool. I’d be open to it.”
Savala is the 12th NRL player in the England squad, joining Radley, Smith, Herbie Farnworth, Dom Young, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles, Morgan Smithies, AJ Brimson, Max King, Jayden Brailey and Ben Talty.
The 24 year-old, who stands at 193 centimetres, making him one of the tallest playmakers in the NRL, made his NRL debut in Round 2 of the 2025 season in front of a huge contingent of family and friends.
His father Scott, a Sydney bookmaker of more than 20 years, came to Australia for a working holiday in 1988 and never returned home.
Scott's grandfather was Polish, while Teresa's father, Manuel, is Portuguese, and played soccer with Anorinha - the same club as Cristiano Ronaldo.
"Over in the UK, by some people's standards, you've got to be born in England to represent England," said McDermott, who has been working in the NRL for five years and is currently on the Titans coaching staff.
"I think that is unfair on a guy like Victor, who is passionate about representing England and will go to war (on the field) for the nation that produced his dad.
"I spoke to Max King, he was actually born in the UK and that is who he wants to represent, where he spent his first years until he was seven, whereas someone like Victor Radley was born over here.
"But then to speak to him and his dad was born not too far from where I grew up and he speaks with a massive passion about representing where his dad is from."
Savala has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances in the NRL this season for the high-flying Roosters, crossing for eight tries and providing 10 try-assists in the halves or at centre.
McDermott said: "When we announced the 38 players originally selected for the England Performance Group we made it clear there was still plenty of opportunity for others to play their way into contention before the World Cup squad is announced.
“Umyla and Hugo have done just that with their excellent form for Leigh Leopards and Sydney Roosters."
“We are entering the most intensive and competitive phase of the season, and the opportunity remains for a player to force his way into the reckoning. It’s all to play for as regards the last few regular fixtures and finals.”
Hanley, who was named in the Super League Dream Team in 2025, has impressed for the Leopards since returning from injury in May, scoring six tries and providing 10 try-assists with Leigh winning nine of the 12 games he has featured in.
His father Ellery played 36 Tests for England and Great Britain, as well as 489 club matches in England and Australia, including 48 for Balmain Tigers, who he spearheaded to the 1989 grand final, and 13 for Wests Magpies.
He scored 396 tries playing five-eighth, lock or centre and won the Golden Boot in 1988, Lance Todd Trophy in 1989 and three Man of Steel awards.
England will kick off their World Cup campaign against Tonga on October 17 at HBF Park, before facing France - also in Perth - on October 24.
McDermott's team then travel to Wollongong to take on Papua New Guinea at WIN Stadium on October 30 in a match that is likely to determine a spot in the play-offs.
England Performance Programme Group
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, Hugo Salava (all 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),Umyla Hanley (Leigh Leopards).
Match: England v Papua New Guinea
Round 3 -
home Team
England
away Team
Papua New Guinea
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
