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New England boss McDermott offers route back for ConnorImage source, RL CommercialImage caption, Brian McDermott won eight trophies as head coach of Leeds Rhinos between 2010 and 2018ByMike WhalleyBBC Sport Senior JournalistPublished23 April 2026, 08:04 BST70 Comments
England’s new head coach Brian McDermott has offered Man of Steel Jake Connor a path back into the national squad for this autumn’s Rugby League World Cup.
McDermott, validated in the role on Thursday, has described the Leeds Rhinos half-back as a “game-breaker”.
Connor, 31, was controversially left out of Shaun Wane’s squad for last autumn’s Ashes home series against Australia, which England lost 3-0.
At the time, Wane mentioned the decision to omit Connor was “not really difficult” and that he had made it based on the player’s form, adding that: “When picking a squad, the thing you will never hear from me is: ‘He’s won the Man of Steel.’ I don’t pay attention to stuff like that.”
Wane stepped down in January, with former Leeds head coach McDermott taking over until the end of the World Cup, to be staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea this October and November.
McDermott played down questions over Connor’s temperament and mentioned the half-back is part of England’s World Cup plans, saying: “Yeah, he is for sure. Absolutely.
“I think the rhetoric and the narrative around Jake was tremendously unfair.
“I understand where Jake Connor comes from in that he’s liked by some and disliked by others. OK, that comes in the nature of the game.
“We could sit around a table and debate whether he’s a nice person or not.
“I just don’t think that’s a fair narrative to be made public and that was the rhetoric around him.
“What nobody can argue is that he’s a tremendous player. He’s a fantastic player. He’s a game-breaker.”
McDermott won four Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups, the World Club Challenge and the League Leaders’ Shield in eight years as Leeds head coach.
The 56-year-old, currently working as an assistant coach at NRL club Gold Coast Titans, has taken the England role on a part-time basis, in contrast to his full-time predecessor Wane.
“I would be interested in taking the job beyond the World Cup,” McDermott mentioned.
The Yorkshireman was selected by the Rugby Football League from a five-man shortlist, which also included current Leeds head coach Brad Arthur, Warrington’s Sam Burgess, St Helens’ Paul Rowley and former England head coach Steve McNamara.
England’s World Cup campaign in Australia begins against Tonga in Perth on 17 October, with games against France and Papua New Guinea to follow.
When a rugby league great in Kevin Sinfield says Brian McDermott is the best coach he ever played under, it is a clear sign his appointment as England head coach for the forthcoming World Cup cannot be taken lightly.
There is no denying the 56-year-old’s roll of honour – four Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Challenge, all achieved with Leeds.
He has also expanded on his head coaching experience at London, the Rhinos, Toronto and Featherstone with stints as an assistant in the NRL with Newcastle and Gold Coast.
The former marine, who also boxed during his time in the services before a distinguished playing career as an aggressive front-rower, has an intimidating aura and could be described as a complex character.
To his inner sanctum, his players in particular, he can be a jovial character – quoting Alan Partridge and enjoying typical training ground banter in between his demanding push for high standards.
That’s not to say he’s universally liked by his personnel, and his manner of dealing with the dropping of players such as Rob Burrow caused genuine friction, as outlined in the late England star’s book – although in fairness McDermott also contributed to mentioned publication.
An area where McDermott’s more playful side was far less evident was in his dealings with the media. If England want a smooth diplomat who will charm the media pack, then McDermott is probably the wrong guy for the job.
However, Australian ‘supercoach’ Wayne Bennett was similarly awkward in his approach to the media, and his appointment did England little harm – almost taking them to World Cup glory in 2017, when they lost the final narrowly to Australia.
McDermott will have little chance to work with the players before taking his selected squad to the World Cup this October.
His task will be to bring the players together and give them the best chance of challenging the Australian dominance of the competition.
He will certainly have seen plenty of the opposition in his recent and current roles down under.
Who joins his coaching staff could also be interesting – as he assesses the mix of dynamics and personalities needed to get the best out of England’s elite.
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