Mikey Lewis left out as England select Smith and Williams for World Cup opener

England have selected Harry Smith and captain George Williams as their half-backs for the opening match of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, leaving Mikey Lewis among the non-playing reserves. BBC Sport reported the selection on Tuesday, with head coach Brian McDermott choosing the Wigan and Warrington playmakers for the meeting with Tonga in Perth.

Watch the highlights:

Lewis remains part of England's tournament squad but is not included on the interchange list for Saturday's match. The Hull KR player joins Ben Currie and Ben Talty among the non-playing reserves. His omission comes after he secured one of England's three specialist half-back places when McDermott selected the wider World Cup squad.

The named starting side also includes AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth and Zach Eckersley. Max King, Brad O'Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul and Victor Radley complete the starting group. Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby and Matty Ashton are the six players listed for interchange, according to the BBC.

The half-back choices follow McDermott's earlier decision to omit Leeds playmaker Jake Connor, the 2025 Super League Man of Steel, from his 23-player tournament squad. Sky Sports reported that the coach cited big-game experience and England's intended playing approach when explaining that decision. Williams, Smith and Lewis were his chosen options, with Savala also capable of playing in the halves.

McDermott had previously explained the importance of adapting to the tournament's playing conditions. In an interview published by NRL.com, he said the competition would use NRL rules and interpretations, and described the resulting differences in pace and fatigue as significant. He had been sharing footage of NRL six-again decisions with his Super League players as part of that preparation.

The selection announcement concerns the first of England's three group matches. Their opener against Tonga is scheduled for 17 October at HBF Park. England then remain in Perth to face France on 24 October before travelling to Wollongong for their match against Papua New Guinea on 30 October, as confirmed in Warrington's World Cup squad announcement.