England Names Brimson at Fullback and Smith at Halfback Against Tonga

England head coach Brian McDermott has selected AJ Brimson at fullback and Harry Smith alongside captain George Williams in the halves for the men's 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga in Perth on Saturday. The selection leaves Jack Welsby on the interchange bench and Mikey Lewis outside the matchday squad as England begin their Group B-C campaign.

According to the team announcement published by rugby-league.com on October 13, England will field a 13-player starting lineup and name six interchange players, although tournament rules allow only four substitutes to enter the field. Lewis, Ben Currie and Ben Talty are among the players listed as reserves, while Hull KR teammate Jez Litten has been selected on the bench.

England's opening match is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. British Summer Time, equivalent to 5:05 p.m. Australian Western Standard Time. The team will subsequently face France in Perth on October 24 before meeting Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on October 30, according to the BBC.

Brimson, who plays for the Gold Coast Titans, has been preferred to Welsby for the fullback position. The decision marks a significant selection choice by McDermott, who succeeded Shaun Wane in April and is overseeing England's campaign at the tournament.

Lewis, a Hull KR player, secured a place in England's squad despite an inconsistent season. However, he will not feature against Tonga unless the selection changes before the match, according to the team reports published by the BBC and Love Rugby League.

Wigan Warriors winger Zach Eckersley has also been selected ahead of Matty Ashton for the starting lineup. Ashton will instead provide an option from the bench, alongside Welsby, hooker Litten and forwards Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard and Sam Walters.

England's starting pack includes Max King, Brad O'Neill and Morgan Knowles in the front row, with Junior Nsemba and Kai Pearce-Paul in the back row. Victor Radley completes the pack, while centres Hugo Savala and Herbie Farnworth join wingers Dom Young and Eckersley in the backline.

According to rugby-league.com, Eckersley is set to make his international debut after being named in the Super League Dream Team. Savala, who was part of the Sydney Roosters' NRL Grand Final-winning squad, is also set to earn his first England cap, while Canterbury Bulldogs prop King is scheduled to make his first start for the national team.

Radley returns to England's side for the first time since the 2024 series victory over Samoa. O'Neill also returns after earning his only previous cap in the 2024 mid-season international against France. Williams, who is heading to the Dolphins, will captain the team after reaching the Super League Grand Final.

McDermott has included players who qualify for England through family heritage as part of his squad selection. Brisbane-born Brimson made his England debut during the 2025 Ashes Series against Australia, while King was born in Huddersfield when his Australian father, David King, was playing there.

Australia have also made a notable selection decision for their opening match against New Zealand on Thursday, naming Reece Walsh at fullback ahead of James Tedesco. According to the BBC, Walsh starred in Australia's 3-0 Ashes Series whitewash of England in 2025 but has not played since August 15 because of injury, while Tedesco won the Clive Churchill Medal after the 2026 Australian National Rugby League Grand Final.

Australia will be without halfback Nathan Cleary, who has been ruled out of the tournament with a broken ankle. Loose forward Isaah Yeo has delayed surgery on a torn pectoral muscle to captain the co-hosts, who will also field Test debutant Jack Bostock on the wing alongside Tom Trbojevic.