English players in the NRL aren’t as common as Australians playing Super League, but history has shown that the ones who excel can go on and leave a great legacy down under.
From the Burgess brothers to James Graham, some of England’s best ever players have all made their mark in the Aussie competition, and it tends to be forwards that are the ones that adapt the best.
Be it their physicality or their style of play, the number of successful English forwards outweigh the successful backs, though Herbie Farnworth may have something to say about that.
Heading into the season, there are currently 19 players of English heritage that are contracted to an NRL side, with some preparing for their first campaign, with others being a regular face in the competition down under.
With 2026 being a World Cup year for rugby league as well as football, we have opted to take a look at who could be on Shaun Wane’s, or any future England boss’, radar this year, as they try to impress for a place in the squad.
The 19 England-eligible players in the NRL in 2026
John Bateman
The former Wigan man is currently in his second stint down under, after originally playing for Canberra Raiders in 2019 and 2020. Returning to the Warriors for two years, he switched back to the NRL in 2023, and featured for Wests Tigers, before making the switch to North Queensland Cowboys in 2025. He has made 32 appearances for GB and England in his career, and will no doubt be in contention once again.
Jayden and Blayke Brailey
The Brailey brothers are eligible for England due to their mother being from Liverpool. Blayke had a decision to make at the end of 2025, as he decided who to represent in the Ashes. He chose Australia, and despite being selected for the Kangaroos he didn’t feature, so is technically still eligible – though a switch now would seem unlikely.
AJ Brimson
The Gold Coast Titans man made his England debut in the Ashes series, playing at full-back ahead of Jack Welsby. His second match didn’t go to plan, after being forced off with a shoulder injury early on in the contest, but after declaring his allegiance to England, it’s likely he will be adding to those two caps in the future.
However a positional switch at club level could hinder that, with Brimson expected to play in the halves this year.
Herbie Farnworth
England’s best player will be one of the first names on the team sheet in Autumn, pending he stays fit. The Dolphins centre is one of the best in the world in his position. The 26-year-old currently has nine England caps to his name, and has scored six tries.
Morgan Gannon
The first new recruit to the NRL on the list, Gannon has joined New Zealand Warriors from Leeds Rhinos this off-season.
Despite not making his England debut yet, he is yet another promising forward England have in their ranks, with his new teammates already singing his praises through the pre-season.
KL Iro
The son of Leeds and Wigan great, Kevin Iro, KL was born in England in 2000, making him eligible for selection. However, it seems he has opted to represent the Cook Islands, and has done so on 11 occasions. Regardless of who he chooses, he will be playing in the World Cup, with the Cooks defeating South Africa for a place in the competition, a game that he scored in.
Max King
Born in Huddersfield, New South Wales prop King is eligible for England, but his previous involvement in State of Origin, the current rules state that he cannot play for his country of birth.
However, those rules are being reviewed this off-season, with NRL supremo Peter V’Landys confirming in 2025 that they will be looking to relax the rulings to mean that any State of Origin player can play for a tier 1 nation (England or New Zealand) as well as a tier 2 nation, meaning it is possible that he switches allegiance before the World Cup.
Morgan Knowles
The recently-departed St Helens hero will join Farnworth at the Dolphins this year, and is expected to be a big hit down under.
With 15 international caps to his name, four of those for Wales, Knowles has become a staple of the England side, and featured heavily in the recent Ashes series.
Matty Nicholson
Canberra back-rower Nicholson took to the NRL like a duck to water, and in the opening rounds of 2025 was one of the best forwards in the competition. However, a lengthy injury ruled him out for the majority of the year. Returning in the final two rounds, he will be hoping for an injury-free campaign to re-gain his place in the national side.
Kai O’Donnell
The former Leigh Leopards forward is actually eligible for England, with his mother being from Newcastle. Currently plying his trade at the Cowboys, O’Donnell excelled in Super League, something his brother Asher is hoping to replicate with Huddersfield Giants this year.
Kai Pearce-Paul
The ex-Wiganer moved from Newcastle Knights to Wests Tigers this off-season, signing a three-year deal. The Londoner, who tuns 25 next month, featured 22 times for the Knights in 2025, and was selected in the Ashes squad for his efforts.
Victor Radley
Declaring his allegiance to England ahead of the 2022 World Cup, Radley is one the highest profile NRL names to represent England in recent times. After featuring in series wins over Samoa and Tonga, he withdrew from Ashes contention due to off-field issues, but is expected to be back representing his nation this autumn.
Billy Smith
Radley’s teammate at the Roosters, centre Smith qualifies due to both his parents being from England. After missing the entire 2024 season through injury, he made his return last season, featuring 18 times and scoring eight tries.
He has plenty of competition in Super League though, with Harry Newman and Jake Wardle among those with huge ambitions of being on the plane to Australia in October.
Morgan Smithies
The Canberra forward was crucial to the club’s Minor Premiership victory in 2025, featuring heavily at loose forward and as an impact sub off the bench. Eyebrows were raised after he was left out of the 17 for the first Ashes Test, and he certainly made his presence felt when given his opportunity at Everton and Headingley.
Ethan Strange
Like Brailey, Strange was selected for Australia, but didn’t take to the field so is still eligible to switch to England, whom he qualifies for through his mother. However, this move seems extremely unlikely after the versatile playmaker featured for the Australian Prime Minister’s XIII against PNG, highlighting his intentions to represent the Kangaroos.
Lewis Symonds
The Dolphins youngster is yet to make an NRL appearance, but was a regular in the Queensland Cup in 2025. Eligible for selection due to being born in the country, the 2026 World Cup has probably come too early in his career, but there’s nothing to say he can’t throw his name in the ring if he gets his first grade chance and takes it with both hands.
Sam Walker
Born in Leeds when his father, Ben, was playing in Super League, the Roosters half-back was marred by injury in 2025, but is one of the best halves in the league on his day.
The Chooks are expected to be fighting at the top of the NRL this year, and if they do, it’s likely that Walker is having a key involvement in their success.
Dominic Young
The Yorkshire-born winger moved to the NRL after just two games at Huddersfield Giants, signing for Newcastle Knights. He has played 92 NRL games since, and has now returned to the Knights after an 18-month stint at the Roosters.
Young picked up a broken foot in the second Ashes Test, and whilst he should be back in time for the start of the regular season, it is far from an ideal situation heading into a World Cup year.
