Brian McDermott to lead England into Rugby League World Cup
Brian McDermott will lead England’s men’s team at this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup as the new head coach.
The 56-year-old, who won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the Club World Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield in eight years as head coach of Leeds Rhinos, takes over from Shaun Wane, who resigned in January.
McDermott, who is currently an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, will take on the England role on a part-time basis, unlike his full-time predecessor Wane.
The Yorkshireman was selected by the Rugby Football League from a five-man shortlist that also included current Leeds head coach Brad Arthur, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England head coach Steve McNamara.
McDermott said: “I am incredibly proud to take on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
“My focus now is on creating an environment where players can perform with confidence, represent the jersey with pride and give themselves the best chance of going deep into the tournament.
“I’ve always been hands-on and close to detail, and that will be important in this role. My job now is to set the standards right, build belief in the group and make sure we’re ready when it matters.”
McDermott began his career as head coach at Harlequins RL (now London Broncos) in 2006, before taking charge of Leeds in 2010 and enjoying a trophy-laden eight-year tenure while also coaching the United States national team.
He later worked at the Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone, before becoming an assistant coach at the Newcastle Knights in 2022 and then at the Titans last September.
England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on October 17, followed by matches against France and Papua New Guinea.
Hull KR’s three-time winning head coach Willie Peters told the BBC in February that he had wanted to discuss the role but had withdrawn from the race, accepting an offer to join new NRL team Papua New Guinea Chiefs at the end of this season.
