England have confirmed their squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, featuring zero players from premiers Wakefield Trinity.
The move is sure to raise eyebrows in England, with the 23-man squad featuring ten NRL players and four debutants.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King and Brisbane Broncos counterpart Ben Talty fit in to both of those categories, with Zach Eckersley from Wigan and teammate Sam Walters the other two debutants.
King and Talty are joined in the side by AJ Brimson, Herbie Farnworth, Kai Pearce-Paul who returns from injury, Roosters premiership winners Victor Radley and Hugo Savala, Perth Bears-bound Morgan Smithies and Newcastle winger Dominic Young as the NRL group in the squad.
The biggest shock for England is Jake Connor missing out on the squad despite coming up with a staggering 43 try assists during the year. It's the second year in a row he has missed the side.
Other familiar faces include former NRL forward Luke Thompson, while the English side have plenty of usual suspects led by Dolphins-bound George Williams and Jack Welsby.
England squad for 2026 Rugby League World Cup
Matty Ashton (Warrington Wolves)
AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans)
Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves)
Zach Eckersley (Wigan Warriors)*
Herbie Farnworth (The Dolphins)
Ethan Havard (Wigan Warriors)
Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs)*
Morgan Knowles (The 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)
Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos)*
Luke Thompson (Wigan Warriors)
Sam Walters (Wigan Warriors)*
Jack Welsby (St Helens)
George Williams (Warrington Wolves)
Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)
