Harry Smith is ready to make the most of a career-defining opportunity after earning his place in Brian McDermott’s England squad for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.
Smith’s World Cup dream finally became reality on Saturday morning when he received a phone call from McDermott while at home with his young son.
“I was just at home with my little lad, he was having his breakfast, so I had to nip upstairs and had a nice little five-minute conversation with Brian,” Smith recalled.
The call from England head coach Brian McDermott confirmed what the Wigan playmaker had been hoping for: a place on the plane to Australia, where England will look to take on the world in a bid for World Cup glory.
“I’m just buzzing and really happy to be on the plane and try to put our best foot forward as a team to do well in the tournament,” he said.
Their conversation touched on the technical and tactical aspects of a half-backs game, including Smith’s most recent performance against Wakefield, as well as reflecting on both the Super League and NRL Grand Finals, as McDermott outlined what he expects from the Wigan general.
“It was a nice conversation and fills you with a little bit of confidence that he’s trusting you,” Smith added.
Now, with the tournament approaching, Smith is relishing the opportunity to represent his country and test himself against the best players in the world.
“It means everything. Not just this tournament but representing your country in general. I’m very proud to represent my family and do them proud. It’s a massive honour.”
Smith’s path to the World Cup began long before that phone call, with his first steps in rugby league taken at Halton Farnworth Hornets in Widnes at the age of five.
He spent his formative years developing his game at the grassroots club before joining the Warriors at 16, where he continued his journey through the ranks.
Looking back, Smith remembers the childhood games with friends in which they would recreate the exploits of the players they watched representing their country.
“Thinking back, there’s times you go with your mates before training doing a little four-on-four game and reenacting players you used to watch playing for their country, so to be able to say I’m going to do that now is incredible.”
While his own hard work has been central to reaching the international stage, Smith is quick to recognise the influence of his family, particularly his dad, who coached him throughout his journey.
“My dad was my coach all the way through. He taught me everything about the game and as a person. I owe a lot to him and he probably lives his journey through me now.”
That support has never wavered, with his dad still checking in daily to find out how training has gone and what the team news might be.
“He’s the main person I do it for, to make him and my mum proud,” Smith said.
Smith’s first taste of the World Cup stage will come against familiar opposition, with England beginning their campaign against Tonga on Saturday 17 October.
England have enjoyed recent test series success against Tonga back in 2023, which Smith played an important part in.
The fixture also brings back memories of the last time England competed at a World Cup in Australia in 2017, when the two nations met in a gripping semi-final.
At the time, Smith was away in Sweden on a training camp with Wigan, watching England’s progress from afar.
“I remember watching the game and all you could see was red,” he said, recalling the atmosphere surrounding the semi-final.
“I just remember that game being carnage – both teams had opportunities to win it and ultimately, England came out on top, which was pleasing.”
Nine years on, Smith hopes England can recreate that intensity and atmosphere as they begin their latest World Cup journey.
“Hopefully we can have the same again, with a few more England flags in there, and we can have a great atmosphere and hopefully both teams put on a show and play really well.”
With McDermott taking charge of England for the first time, the tournament represents a fresh chapter for the national side, and Smith is looking forward to the challenge of working alongside his new international team-mates.
For Smith, the opportunity to train and compete alongside the country’s leading players is one of the biggest attractions of international rugby league.
He believes the intensity of the environment can only improve him as a player, with every training session providing an opportunity to raise his standards.
“You train with the best players in the country, you raise your level of training, training’s better and more intense,” he explained.
“Ultimately, you’re going to become a better player because of it. Playing against the best and playing under fatigue for longer, playing against the best athletes in the world, is only going to make you better.”
There will also be familiar faces to catch up with in camp, including Morgan Smithies and Morgan Knowles, alongside George Williams and the rest of the England squad. Smith is equally keen to get to know the newer members of the group and help them settle into the environment.
The focus, however, is firmly on what England can achieve together over the coming weeks.
Smith knows the challenge ahead will demand commitment from every member of the squad, but believes England must travel to Australia with the ambition of winning the tournament.
“You’ve got to go in with the mindset to win. We’ve got to go all out to try and win it,” he said.
For the half-back, that starts with the fundamentals: effort, commitment and the willingness to work for one another, whatever the circumstances.
“We’ve got to put our best foot forward in the effort areas, the non-negotiable stuff that any rugby league player can do. If we’re beaten on stuff like that, then there’s something wrong.”
Technical and tactical nous will be vital against the world’s best sides, but Smith believes England’s determination and togetherness must provide the foundation for their campaign.
“It’s going to take a lot of hard work and dedication from everyone for the next six weeks, but it’s something we’re really looking forward to.”
