“Harry Smith and George Williams Named England Half-Backs for Rugby League World Cup Opener” — what this page in the network covers. England head coach Shaun Wane has named Harry Smith to start alongside captain George Williams in the halves for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup opener against Tonga, with Mikey Lewis missing out on a place in the side. The decision means Smith and Williams will reunite as the creative pairing for the first match of the tournament, which is being held in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Fiji.
Lewis, who has been in strong form for Hull KR, was widely tipped to feature, but Wane has opted for the proven international combination of Smith and Williams. The selection signals a focus on experience and tactical control for a challenging first fixture against a physical Tongan team. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.