Brian McDermott will lead England’s men into the 2026 Rugby League World Cup as their recent head coach, taking over from Shaun Wane who stepped down in January.
The 56-year-old won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield during his eight-year tenure as head coach of Leeds Rhinos from 2010 to 2018.
McDermott, currently an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, will assume the role on a part-time basis, unlike his full-time predecessor Wane.
He was selected by the Rugby Football League from a five-man shortlist that included current Leeds head coach Brad Arthur, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England head coach Steve McNamara.
McDermott said he is “incredibly proud to seize on the role of England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup” and emphasized creating an environment where players can perform with confidence and represent the shirt with pride.
He stressed his hands-on approach and attention to detail as key to getting standards right, building belief in the group, and ensuring readiness for the tournament.
McDermott began his head coaching career in 2006 with Harlequins RL (now London Broncos) before joining Leeds in 2010, and later coached the United States national team during his Leeds stint.
After Leeds, he had spells with Toronto Wolfpack and Featherstone Rovers, then served as an assistant coach at Newcastle Knights in 2022 before joining the Gold Coast Titans last September.
England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, followed by matches against France and Papua New Guinea.
England’s World Cup preparation timeline
Hull KR’s head coach Willie Peters had expressed interest in the England role in February but withdrew after accepting an offer to join the new NRL side Papua New Guinea Chiefs at the finish of the season.
McDermott’s coaching achievements and background
His eight-year spell at Leeds Rhinos yielded eight major trophies, including four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield.
Selection process and competition for the role
The Rugby Football League chose McDermott from a shortlist of five candidates, overcoming competition from Brad Arthur, Sam Burgess, Paul Rowley and Steve McNamara.
When does England’s World Cup campaign begin?
England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on 17 October.
Who did McDermott replace as England head coach?
McDermott replaced Shaun Wane, who stepped down from the role in January following England’s 3-0 loss in the Ashes series.