Jez Litten and Morgan Knowles have been brought into the starting line-up for England’s must-win Men’s Rugby League World Cup match against Papua New Guinea – with Brad O’Neill dropping out of the squad.
Hull KR’s Litten comes in at hooker as head coach Brian McDermott chases a big victory in their final Group B-C match on Wollongong on Friday (09:05 GMT) to keep alive hopes of reaching the semi-finals.
O’Neill, named the best player in Super League in 2026, is not in the 19-player matchday squad, having worn the number nine for last Saturday’s victory over France.
Dolphins lock Knowles comes in after missing the opening two matches with a calf injury, replacing Victor Radley, who drops to the bench.
Warrington’s Matty Ashton, brought in for the France match, retains his place on the wing, with Wigan’s Zach Eckersley again not in the matchday 19.
McDermott, however, has made late changes to his initial matchday squad for both of England’s two matches so far, and may do so again before Friday.
On the backfoot since being beaten 30-12 by Tonga in their opening game, England responded with a crushing 82-0 victory over France to keep alive their dreams.
England need to beat co-hosts Papua New Guinea in their final group match in Wollongong on Friday – then hope Tonga beat Samoa, two days later in Sydney.
If Samoa win, England will be eliminated because of their inferior head-to-head record against Tonga.
But if Tonga win, it comes down to points difference between England and Samoa – with England’s currently 68 points worse than the Samoans.
England men: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles.
Interchange: Mikey Lewis, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Victor Radley.
Reserves: Kallum Watkins, Brad O’Neill, Zach Eckersley