Why leave Lewis out? England have dropped Hull KR’s Mikey Lewis for the Tonga opener, while Jack Welsby secures a bench spot under Brian McDermott.
Hull KR’s Lewis, who beat 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor for a squad place, now sits among three reserves with Ben Currie and Ben Talty, missing selection.
Welsby had been tipped to start at full‑back, but McDermott chose Gold Coast Titans star AJ Brimson instead.
Wigan winger Zach Eckersley will debut internationally after being preferred over Matty Ashton, and fellow Warriors teammate Sam Walters also starts.
NRL champion Victor Radley returns to England for the first time since the 2024 Samoa series win, while Sydney Roosters’ Hugo Savala eyes his first cap.
Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King earns his first England start after a strong Australian season.
Super League Grand Finalist George Williams, soon to join the Dolphins, will captain and partner Harry Smith in the halves.
Brad O’Neill is back in the England squad after his sole cap in the 2024 mid‑season test against France.
Lewis will earn his World Cup chance.
McDermott sees Lewis as a stand‑off, a role occupied by captain Williams, but may give the Hull KR half‑back a chance against PNG or France later in the tournament.
The simplest answer is Harry is a seven and Mikey a six, not just a generic half‑back, McDermott explained when asked why Smith was chosen over Lewis.
Harry controls the game from seven, coordinating the team, while Mikey will bide his time and get his shot later in the tournament, he added.
In my view, McDermott’s gamble on Smith over Lewis reflects a savvy tactical shift; the plan suits Lewis’s style and keeps team harmony.
England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Morgan Knowles, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce‑Paul, Victor Radley.
Interchange: Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.
Tonga: Lehi Hopoate, Dallin Watene‑Zelezniak, Tolutau Koula, Robert To’ia, Jojo Fifita, Latu Fainu, Isaiya Katoa, Addin Fonua‑Blake, Soni Luke, Jason Taumalolo, Haumole Olakau’atu, Siua Wong, Tyson Frizell.
Interchange: Salesi Foketi, Stefano Utoikamanu, Demitric Vaimauga, Leka Halasima, Tuimoala Lolohea, Paul Alamoti.
Strange and Boyd set for international debuts, a move that could ignite England’s campaign.
England Women’s coach Stu Barrow has named his squad for Saturday’s World Cup opener against Wales in Perth, kick‑off at 7.35 am BST.
Jasmin Strange, Connie Boyd and young forward Hope Millard are all set for senior international debuts.
Australia‑born Strange joins after four straight NRLW Grand Finals and premierships with Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters.
Reigning Woman of Steel Jenna Foubister sits on the interchange bench, ready for her World Cup debut; the 19‑year‑old Wigan half‑back has scored in her first two senior internationals and tallied nine tries in 18 games in 2026.
Fran Goldthorp returns to England for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, where she scored three tries in four matches; she is one of three NRLW‑based players selected alongside Knights half‑back Georgia Roche and Raiders forward Hollie‑Mae Dodd.
Amelia Brown could make her first England appearance since a debut hat‑trick against Wales in November 2024, while Jodie Cunningham is set to captain England at her fourth World Cup.
Strange is one of five NRLW players in the squad, joined by Canterbury Bulldogs prop Millard, Knights playmaker Georgia Roche, Cowboys full‑back Fran Goldthorp and Raiders forward Hollie‑Mae Dodd.
It was my responsibility to get the balance right, Barrow said of the heritage players after eligibility rules eased; their commitment was strong and they proved to be the right people for the squad.
England Women: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie‑Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard.
Wales Women: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.
Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.