Lewis left out for England’s Rugby League World Cup opener
Mikey Lewis has been excluded from England's Rugby League World Cup opening match against Tonga, despite being named in the broader squad. Hull KR's Lewis, who endured an inconsistent season, will not feature even on the bench, with the half-back roles instead filled by Harry Smith and captain George Williams. The decision reflects a significant selection call by new England coach Brian McDermott, who took charge in April.
England coach McDermott has prioritised players with strong international exposure and heritage qualification (those with family connections to the nation). He selected Australia-born full-back AJ Brimson ahead of Jack Welsby, and included debutants such as Bulldogs prop Max King and Sydney Roosters' Hugo Savala. England face Tonga in Perth on Saturday, followed by matches against France on 24 October and Papua New Guinea on 30 October.
- Mikey Lewis left out of England's World Cup opener despite being in squad.
- Coach McDermott prioritises heritage players and international experience in his selections.
- England's opening match against Tonga takes place Saturday in Perth.
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The Rugby League World Cup is one of the sport's biggest international tournaments, bringing together the world's leading nations. England are set to begin their campaign against Tonga on Saturday in Perth, Australia, with new coach Brian McDermott in charge.
Mikey Lewis plays half-back for Hull KR in England's Super League, which is the position that directs the team's attack. Despite being named in England's squad for the tournament, he will not play in the opening match, not even on the bench.
Coach McDermott took over in April and is prioritising players with strong international experience and family heritage connections to England. These early team selections reflect how he intends to build England's squad for the tournament.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A new coach establishing his approach in World Cup football must prioritise proven experience and consistency, and McDermott's decision is defensible on these grounds. Lewis's inconsistent season, combined with the established international track records of Smith and Williams, provides reasonable justification for the selection. The strategic approach of prioritising heritage-qualified and internationally-experienced players is a coherent team-building philosophy that shouldn't be second-guessed based on one exclusion.
The case against
Selecting Lewis in the squad whilst excluding him entirely from starting positions and the bench is disproportionately harsh and risks demoralising the broader group. Squad players, particularly those with talent and potential, merit meaningful opportunities in group matches to prove themselves and compete for positions. The message that a single inconsistent season results in complete exclusion rather than a chance for redemption could damage squad morale and cohesion during a lengthy tournament campaign.