Savala, Talty, King among new faces in England squad
- Author
- Timestamp
Sydney Roosters utility back Hugo Savala and premiership winning team-mate Victor Radley are among 10 NRL players chosen in the England squad for IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Savala, who has an English born mother, wasn't used from the bench in Sunday's grand final triumph over Newcastle but he was selected by new England coach Brian McDermott after an impressive NRL season.
The 23 year-old played 22 NRL matches for the Roosters this season at centre or in the halves, scoring eight tries and producing 12 try assists.
Bulldogs prop Max King, who was born in Huddersfield, and Brisbane Broncos’ front-row Ben Talty are the other new names from the NRL who now get their shot with England.
Knights grand final winger Dom Young and Dally M Centre of the Year Herbie Farnworth - two of England’s top performers from the last World Cup in 2022 - are also included.
Farnworth’s team-mate at the Dolphins, ex-St Helens forward Morgan Knowles, has earned a spot alongside Titans back AJ Brimson, Wests Tigers secondrower Kai Pearce-Paul and Perth Bears recruit Morgan Smithies.
Dolphins recruit George Williams - one of three Warrington Wolves players in the 23-man squad, alongside winger Matty Ashton and forward Ben Currie - will captain England.
Wigan Warriors have seven players in McDermott’s squad, including Steve Prescott MBE Man of Steel Brad O’Neill and Dream Team winger Zach Eckersley.
Halfback Harry Smith is included with four forwards - Ethan Havard, Junior Nsemba, Luke Thompson and Sam Walters.
Along with Dream Team winger Eckersley, Savala, King and Talty, towering forward Walters is one of five uncapped players who will hope to make their England debut during the tournament.
Hull KR hooker Jez Litten and playmaker Mikey Lewis plus St Helens fullback Jack Welsby round off McDermott’s squad with all three men featuring in last year’s Ashes campaign.
“We have selected the squad after a thorough and deliberate process, underpinned by a unique decentralised preparation model that has allowed us to work closely with the players well before they come together in camp," McDermott said.
“Throughout that process, we have challenged players to develop a deeper understanding of themselves – their strengths, their point of difference, the areas they need to improve and the standards required to perform at international level.
“Importantly, we have also developed a much deeper understanding of the expectations around each player’s specific role within the England Game Model.
"The aim has been that when the players arrive in camp, they are not starting from day one trying to understand what is expected of them. They already understand their role, the standards attached to it and how their individual strengths can contribute to the way England wants to play.
“We have been tremendously impressed by the sacrifices made by the wider squad, their willingness to be open-minded about a new way of preparing for international rugby league, and the level of alignment they have shown towards our collective vision.
“The commitment of the wider squad to this process has given us the opportunity to understand not only who the player is, but who the person is.”
Each player in the wider England Performance Programme has taken part in six or more individual meetings alongside positional group meetings with McDermott and Systems Manager Carl Jennings – a total of more than 200 individual player meetings across a three-month period.
These meetings have led to individual performance plans for players identifying the areas of their preparation and performance that could make the greatest difference to them as an England player heading into the Rugby League World Cup.
McDermott added: “I want to thank all the players who have been involved in the programme for their effort and application throughout the decentralised preparation phase.
“It’s tough on them all. They have given the programme everything and made many sacrifices along the way.
“The 38-man squad initially picked had talent and ambition running all the way through it. Twenty-three is a lean number to take to a World Cup, and the final decisions were incredibly difficult.
“Their contribution throughout this process has been significant. Every player who committed to the decentralised programme has contributed to raising the standards of the group and helping prepare England for this World Cup.”
Match: England v Papua New Guinea
Round 3 -
home Team
England
away Team
Papua New Guinea
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
England will kick-off their 2026 Rugby League World Cup campaign against Tonga on Saturday 17 October before facing France on Saturday 24 October, with both games being played at HBF Park in Perth.
McDermott’s men will then travel to Wollongong to face Papua New Guinea on Friday 30 October in a clash which could decide a semi final berth.
England Squad
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors), Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors), Max King (Bulldogs), Morgan Knowles (Dolphins), Mikey Lewis (Hull KR), Jez Litten (Hull KR), Junior Nsemba (Wigan Warriors), Brad O’Neill (Wigan Warriors), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters), Hugo Savala (Sydney Roosters), Harry Smith (Wigan Warriors), Morgan Smithies (Canberra Raiders), Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors), Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Dom Young (Newcastle Knights)
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.
