England head coach Brian McDermott is very clear on three things – that Herbie Farnworth is the best centre in the world and that England’s plan is to get the ball to the Dolphins man as much as possible.
One thing he’s also clear on is that Herbie Farnworth will not play full-back for England at this year’s World Cup despite the suggestion from some that the best way to ensure the 26-year-old is involved would be to hand him the number one shirt.
Instead, it will likely be one of AJ Brimson or Jack Welsby who takes up that mantle with both of last year’s Ashes full-backs named to the 23-man squad selected by Brian McDermott ahead of this month’s World Cup.
Who exactly plays that role, given both have spent time in the centres this year, remains a major decision for McDermott with England playing their first game in less than a fortnight as Tonga await in Perth on October 17th in what will be a tough opening fixture.
Speaking to media shortly after confirming his squad, McDermott said of Farnworth playing full-back: “I don’t have any temptation to do that.
“But I do have a temptation to get him the ball as much as I can all over the park, on the left side, the right side and up the middle.”
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Herbie Farnworth and Dolphins teammate to be integral at World Cup
It’s a very similar way to how the Dolphins use Herbie Farnworth in the NRL with the centre so much more than just a centre as he carries out of backfield and can often spring up on the opposing side of the field.
He was unsurprisingly named to the Dally M Team of the Year, something he has achieved in three of the last four years, with Farnworth scoring 15 tries and breaking 166 tackles across the 2026 NRL campaign.
Herbie Farnworth is one of two Dolphins players to make the 23-man squad with ex-St Helens man Morgan Knowles the other and both came in for high praise, though it was the centre that McDermott was dubbing the best at his position in the world.
“I think for Herbie and Morgan Knowles, they’ve had tremendous years for the Dolphins,” McDermott explained, with the Phins having made the semi-final stages of the NRL.
“Herbie is regarded as the best centre in the world at the moment, and I don’t think too many people would question that. He’s been in outstanding form all year.
“Both those guys have played in a really good Dolphins team this year, and at the back end of the year, they’ve found some form.
“Herbie gets all the headlines, but Morgan Knowles has been in the middle there and has been the centre link of what they’ve done in attack and defence. Having both of those guys in the squad with that level is going to be really beneficial.”
