Litten and Knowles in as O'Neill drops out for England

Published27 October 2026, 05:38 GMT

Jez Litten and Morgan Knowles have been brought into the starting line-up for England's must-win Men's Rugby League World Cup match against Papua New Guinea - with Brad O'Neill dropping out of the squad.

Hull KR's Litten comes in at hooker as head coach Brian McDermott chases a big victory in their final Group B-C match on Wollongong on Friday (09:05 GMT) to keep alive hopes of reaching the semi-finals.

O'Neill, named the best player in Super League in 2026, is not in the 19-player matchday squad, having worn the number nine for last Saturday's victory over France.

Dolphins lock Knowles comes in after missing the opening two matches with a calf injury, replacing Victor Radley, who drops to the bench.

Warrington's Matty Ashton, brought in for the France match, retains his place on the wing, with Wigan's Zach Eckersley again not in the matchday 19.

McDermott, however, has made late changes to his initial matchday squad for both of England's two matches so far, and may do so again before Friday.

On the backfoot since being beaten 30-12 by Tonga in their opening game, England responded with a crushing 82-0 victory over France to keep alive their dreams.

England need to beat co-hosts Papua New Guinea in their final group match in Wollongong on Friday – then hope Tonga beat Samoa, two days later in Sydney.

If Samoa win, England will be eliminated because of their inferior head-to-head record against Tonga.

But if Tonga win, it comes down to points difference between England and Samoa - with England's currently 68 points worse than the Samoans.

England men: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles.

Interchange: Mikey Lewis, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Victor Radley.

Reserves: Kallum Watkins, Brad O'Neill, Zach Eckersley

Group B-C: The remaining games

Fri, 30 Oct: England v Papua New Guinea: Wollongong, 09:05 GMT

Sun, 1 Nov: Lebanon v France: Parramatta, Sydney: 06:40 GMT

Sun, 1 Nov: Tonga v Samoa: Parramatta, Sydney: 09:05 GMT

Roche in for women's must-win Samoa match

Georgia Roche replaces Jenna Foubister at half-back for England women, with Hope Millard stepping up to the bench for their must-win final group game.

England have to beat Samoa to finish second in Group A and qualify for the semi-finals.

They beat Wales 70-6 in their opener, but were thrashed 78-0 by reigning champions Australia in Perth last weekend.

Foubister, 19, started against Australia after a superb domestic season where she was named Super League Woman of Steel.

But she struggled against the strength of Australia, so coach Stu Barrow has opted for the experience of Roche instead.

The loss of key player Eva Hunter to a leg injury suffered against the Jillaroos has prompted a pack reshuffle, with Hollie-Mae Dodd moving from prop to the back row.

Mary Coleman comes in at prop as a result, while England are boosted by captain Jodie Cunningham overcoming an ear injury suffered last week to be named on the bench.

Georgia Wilson is in for Molly Jones in the centres, while Millard - the only heritage player left in the England set-up following Jasmin Strange's tournament-ending knee injury - is back in the squad.

A win would earn England a semi-final spot, where they would most likely face New Zealand, who beat them in the last four of the previous World Cup in 2022.

England women: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Izzy Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Liv Wood, Lucy Murray, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Hope Millard, Lucie Sams.

Reserves: Ruby Bruce, Evie Cousins, Molly Jones

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