It is exactly 300 days until the first game of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup kicks off, and with that in mind, we’ve decided to have a go at predicting the squad, despite it quite clearly being far too early.

It’s not even been confirmed who will coach England in the tournament, with the RFL currently deciding whether Shaun Wane is the right man for the role after a disappointing Ashes series.

We have another two months roughly until the regular season starts, but since we are on a nice round number, here’s our predictions for what could be the 24-man squad come October.

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Predicting the England Rugby League World Cup squad with 300 days to go

Full-backs: Jack Welsby and Will Pryce

We don’t know for certain what St Helens’ spine is going to be next year, but Welsby is expected to continue at full-back. Whilst he had a poor showing in the Ashes, a positive season under Paul Rowley could be what’s needed for him to get back to his best on the international stage.

Pryce gets the nod over AJ Brimson, but both players do the same role, in that they cover the key playmaking positions. A fully fit season under John Cartwright could bring out the best in him, and if that happens will certainly be in the conversation.

Wingers: Dominic Young, Lewis Martin and Matty Ashton

Young is a certainty in the squad if he’s fit, whilst Ashton would have made the Ashes side if he wasn’t injured. Suffering an ACL injury, a strong return in the second half of the year should see him regain his place in the national side.

Martin, after topping the try-scoring charts in 2025, will be hoping for more of that same in 2026. He was in the conversation for the Ashes, but it was perhaps too soon in his career for a series of that magnitude.

Centres: Herbie Farnworth, Harry Newman and Jake Wardle

Sticking with the three from 2025, Farnworth is the first name on the England team sheet, whilst Newman and Wardle’s impressive seasons earned them another call-up.

Saints prospect Harry Robertson will be in the mix, but like Martin it’s a question of whether he is ready for that type of match so early on in his career.

Halves: Mikey Lewis, Jake Connor and Harry Smith

What should have been the trio for the Ashes, reigning Man of Steel Connor drops out for George Williams. Lewis deserves a shot in the side in his natural position, whilst Smith is arguably the best kicker England have. The aforementioned Pryce can also cover the halves if needs be.

Props: Luke Thompson, Mikolaj Oledzki, Owen Trout, Matty Lees, Mike McMeeken and Morgan Smithies

Thompson returns to the national side after missing out on the Ashes in favour of Ethan Havard and Alex Walmsley. Trout and Oledzki didn’t get much game time this year, but with no mid-season international scheduled, having players who are already familiar with the importance of playing for England will be key.

Morgan Smithies is usually a loose forward, but other players mean that he should slot in at prop, and use his aggression from the front row rather than having more of a ball-handling responsibility.

Hookers: Jez Litten and Daryl Clark

England’s best hooker, Litten, put a strong showing for himself this autumn, and was one of a few Englishmen that stood out. The experienced Clark is expected to stay in the side, but Wigan hooker Brad O’Neill will certainly have something to say about that this year.

Back Row: Kai Pearce-Paul, Junior Nsemba and Matty Nicholson

Replacing John Bateman and Kallum Watkins, Nsemba and Nicholson will come into the fray, with the former’s end-of season form seeing him not selected, and the latter only just coming back from injury.

Loose forward: Morgan Knowles and Victor Radley

Knowles will have the chance to test himself against the best as he moves to the NRL for next year, and that will help England, with the more players coming up against the best players in the world week in, week out, only strengthening the side.

Radley is expected to be back involved, after withdrawing from selection this off-season.