By Fatma Younis
England's men and women have both been eliminated from the Rugby League World Cup 2026, marking the first time in tournament history that neither team has reached the semi-finals. The men's 34-12 win over Papua New Guinea was insufficient to advance, while the women fell 24-6 to Samoa in a decisive pool match.
Men's campaign hampered by preparation and injuries
Head coach Brian McDermott was appointed in April with only six months to prepare and no mid-season international to test his plans. Based in Australia as an assistant with the Gold Coast Titans, he relied on virtual meetings and just two full on-field sessions after a 48-hour journey to Perth left UK-based players exhausted. The tournament's format forced an immediate high-stakes opener against Tonga, which England lost 30-12, leaving them needing improbable winning margins in subsequent matches.
Injury crisis weakens forward pack
England's forward resources were decimated before the tournament. Key props Matty Lees and Caleb Hamlin-Uele were unavailable, while second-rower Mike McMeeken and loose forward Morgan Smithies withdrew injured. Morgan Knowles missed the Tonga game with a calf complaint, and other notable absentees included Billy Smith, Jake Wardle, Ash Handley and Mikolaj Oledzki. The depleted pack struggled to match the physicality of southern hemisphere opponents.
Women's team outclassed by professional opposition
Women's coach Stuart Barrow selected a youthful squad with 11 players aged 23 or under, most of whom balance rugby with full-time jobs. England were thrashed 78-0 by world champions Australia and then beaten by a Samoa side dominated by NRL Women's Premiership professionals. Barrow acknowledged the investment gap, noting that nearly every Samoan player has NRLW experience while England's domestic league lacks comparable funding.
Calls for greater investment in domestic game
Barrow urged more substantial investment in the women's and girls' game in England, warning that the acceleration of the sport in the southern hemisphere is phenomenal. England's women have played only six internationals since the last World Cup, all against France and Wales, leaving them ill-prepared for elite opposition. Both coaches emphasized that improved preparation time and competitive fixtures are essential for future competitiveness.
