Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max KIng, Sydney Roosters centre Billy Smith, Canberra Raiders hooker Jayden Brailey and Brisbane Broncos forward Ben Talty are in line to play for England at Rugby League World Cup 2026.

The quartet are among 11 NRL stars named in England's preliminary World Cup squad, along with Dolphins pair Herbie Farnworth and Morgan Knowles, Roosters lock Victor Radley, Titans back AJ Brimson, Knights winger Dom Young, Wests Tigers secondrower Kai Pearce-Paul and Raiders forward Morgan Smithies.

New England coach Brian McDermott, who is on the Titans coaching staff, has also chosen Wakefield prop Caleb Hamlin-Uele, whose brother Braden plays for the Sharks.

“I’ve enjoyed the process of looking throughout Super League and the NRL for players who could potentially play for England in the 2026 World Cup," McDermott said.

“It is clear there is a raft of talent available at our disposal and it’s encouraging to see the sort of player who could be lining up for us in a few months’ time."

King, who has played State of Origin for NSW and whose grandfather Johnny King is an Australian Rugby League Hall of Famer who played 15 Tests for the Kangaroos, was born in Huddersfield.

Brailey, whose brother Blayke toured England with the Kangaroos during last year's Ashes series but did not pay, has an English mother, while Talty also qualifies through his mother. Both of Smith's parents were born in London.

Photo: Roosters star Billy Smith is poised to make his international debut for England at RLWC2026. @NRL Photos

Caleb Hamlin-Uele qualifies for England on heritage grounds but Braden is ineligible as he has previously represented New Zealand, as well as Samoa.

They are among 10 uncapped players named by McDermott, including Wakefield playmaker Jake Trueman, Wigan pair Sam Walters and Zach Eckersley, Hull KR second-row Dean Hadley and St Helens centre Harry Robertson.

“As well as plenty of seasoned Test players who we all know about, there are some new faces on the international scene, including Jake Trueman, Dean Hadley and Zach Eckersley," McDermott said.

“They have all earned places on the programme for their consistent excellence in Super League.

“Caleb Hamlin-Uele, who was born in Auckland but qualifies for England through heritage, is another who ticks that box.

“From the NRL, there’s further players who I have seen first-hand who are performing well and who have expressed a desire to represent England via the heritage rule: Max King, Jayden Brailey, Billy Smith and Ben Talty.

“It’s an exciting time as we continue our preparations and build-up towards the opening game against Tonga.

“Obviously, this is still just the first group of players we’ve selected: there is still plenty of opportunity for others to play their way into contention before the World Cup squad is announced.”

England-eligible players not named in the squad include Penrith Panthers hooker Freddy Lussick and Wests Tigers forward Alex Seyfarth.

Blayke Brailey, who made his Origin debut for NSW in the series before breaking his arm playing for the Sharks, Maroons and Roosters halfback Sam Walker and Blues and Raiders five-eighth Ethan Strange also qualify for England.

As expected, reigning Steve Prescott Man of Steel Jake Connor is recalled to the international arena after a seven-year absence.

Wigan have the biggest contingent of representatives with eight included in McDermott’s initial plans.

Super League joint-leaders Leeds Rhinos and Warrington Wolves both have four players each as do St Helens and Wakefield Trinity.

England’s World Cup campaign kicks off against Tonga at Perth's HBF Stadium on October 17.

England also play France in Perth on October 24 before travelling to Wollongong to face Papua New Guinea at WIN Stadium on October 31 in a match that could determine a semi-final berth.

England 38-man performance program squad

Junior Nsemba, Ethan Havard, Luke Thompson, Sam Walters, Brad O’Neill, Jake Wardle, Harry Smith, Zach Eckersley (all Wigan Warriors), Kallum Watkins, Mikolaj Oledzki, Ash Handley, Jake Connor (all Leeds Rhinos), Ben Currie, Danny Walker, George Williams, Matty Ashton (all Warrington Wolves), Kai Pearce-Paul (Wests Tigers), Dean Hadley, Jez Litten, Mikey Lewis (all Hull KR), Morgan Smithies, Jayden Brailey (both Canberra Raiders), Victor Radley, Billy Smith (both Sydney Roosters), AJ Brimson (Gold Coast Titans), Jack Welsby, Alex Walmsley, Daryl Clark, Harry Robertson (all St Helens), Morgan Knowles, Herbie Farnworth (both Dolphins), Mike McMeeken, Caleb Hamlin-Uele, Jake Trueman, Tom Johnstone (all Wakefield), Max King (Canterbury Bulldogs), Ben Talty (Brisbane Broncos), Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights).