Gold Coast Titans assistant coach Brian McDermott will draw on his NRL knowledge as he prepares to take charge of England at IRL Rugby League World Cup 2026.

McDermott, who joined the Titans this season from Newcastle Knights, is set to be confirmed as the new England coach at a press conference in Manchester on Thursday.

Other contenders included South Sydney Rabbitohs great Sam Burgess and former Eels mentor Brad Arthur, who are coaching in the Super League, along with St Helens coach Paul Rowley and Hull FC-bound Steve McNamara.

However, McDermott has the advantage of coaching in the NRL and working under the conditions in which the World Cup will be played.

A number of England stars also play in the NRL, including Titans utility AJ Brimson, Dolphins pair Herbie Farnworth and Morgan Knowles, Knights winger Dom Young, Sydney Roosters lock Victor Radley and Raiders forwards Morgan Smithies and Matty Nicholls.

McDermott is highly regarded for his coaching prowess in both hemispheres after steering Leeds to four Super League titles, as well as Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge victories.

He oversaw Toronto Wolfpack's promotion to Super League in 2019, working alongside former Great Britain coach Brian Noble, who coached him at Bradford Bulls.

Among his star recruits at Toronto was Sonny Bill Williams, who played five matches before the Wolfpack were forced to withdraw from Super League due to the outbreak of COVID.

Photo: Brian McDermott recruited Sonny Bill Williams to Toronto Wolfpack @SWPix

The former England and Great Britain Test prop, who played 250 Super League matches for Bradford, coached USA at the 2017 World Cup and was involved with Fiji at RLWC2021.

McDermott was on a five-man shortlist who were interviewed for the role last week.

Burgess, Arthur, Rowley and McNamara, the former England coach who had stints on the coaching staff of Sydney Roosters and New Zealand Warriors, were also interviewed.

Hull KR's Willie Peters was initially considered the preferred candidate after long serving England coach Shaun Wane stood down after last year's 3-0 Ashes series loss to Australia.

However, Peters withdrew his interest to focus on preparing PNG Chiefs for their entry into the NRL in 2028.

Burgess, who coaches Warrington, had been endorsed for the job by South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett, who coached the premiership winning forward during his 26-Test career with England and Great Britain.

The role will be part-time and initially just to cover the World Cup, potentially suiting a coach in the NRL.

England play Tonga and France in Perth on October 17 and October 24 before travelling to Wollongong to take on Papua New Guinea on October 30.

Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.