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

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 in 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.

Rugby League World Cup

15 October - 15 November

Australia, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand

Listen to live commentary on every men's match, and key women's matches - with coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app

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 PNG – 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.

The match is part of a triple header in Wollongong, with England's wheelchair team starting the defence of their World Cup title against Wales (04:30 GMT) before the women's side face Samoa (06:45 GMT).

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.

Dual-code international Ffion Lewis returns to the Wales side for their final Group A match, against world champions Australia in Sydney on Sunday (04:40 GMT). Carys Marsh steps up from the bench and will start at hooker.

Australia - already assured of a semi-final place - have made several changes. Stand-off Jocelyn Kelleher, who was outstanding against England last Saturday, is rested with Jesse Southwell taking her place.

Wales women: Leanne Burnell, Zoe Heeley, Jade Mullen, Hannah Bluck, Sian Williams, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Carys Marsh, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.

Interchange: Kathryn Salter, Erin Williams, Gracie Hobbs, Lucia Davies.

Walsh returns for Australia in final group game

Australia coach Kevin Walters has recalled Reece Walsh at full-back for their final Group A game against the Cook Islands on Saturday (09:05 GMT).

Walsh, whose 2026 domestic season was disrupted by injury troubles, started Australia's thrilling World Cup opener against New Zealand.

He scored a try but kicked just two of five conversions as the Kangaroos squeezed to a 24-22 win. He was then rested against Fiji in their second group match, which Australia won 36-22.

Walsh returns in place of James Tedesco at full-back, with Cameron Munster returning at stand-off as Sam Walker drops out of the 19, and Harry Grant regaining the number nine hooker's jersey.

Ethan Strange - brother of injured England women's star Jasmin - is in line for a Test debut after being named on the bench.

Australia men: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo.

Interchange: Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, James Tedesco.

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