England Physical Disability Rugby League begin their World Cup title defence next week, opening their campaign against hosts Australia on Friday 30 October.
The reigning champions will take their place on the global stage at the 2026 IRL Rugby League World Cup, where the second PDRL World Cup will be played alongside the Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair tournaments in a celebration of the sport’s inclusivity.
England will compete with Australia and New Zealand at AIIMS Stadium in Cabramatta with each nation facing the other two before the leading pair meet in the final at Allianz Stadium on 8 November, played ahead of the Men’s and Women’s semi-finals.
The Community Lions face Australia on 30 October and New Zealand on 2 November before the Trans-Tasman battle completes the round-robin fixtures on 5 November.
The team travel to Australia as defending champions after an emphatic 42-10 victory over New Zealand in the inaugural PDRL World Cup final at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium in 2022.
Head Coach Michelle Melling has named an experienced England squad which includes several players who featured in the 2022 World Cup, including Nick Leigh, Sam Zeller, Scott Gobin, Tommy Pouncey, Adam Fleming and Nick Kennedy, all of whom scored in the Final. Hull FC’s Corey Davies also returns after earning his first international cap against Wales last July and is the first Community Lions Youth Ambassador.
Three players could also make their England debuts during the tournament: Leeds Rhinos’ Dan Bell, Wigan Warriors’ Chris Bibby and Castleford Tigers’ Chris Cocks.
In their ‘Road to Australia’, the PDRL squad have undergone a number of fundraising efforts including taking on a 164.6km virtual bike ride, which digitally connected the stadiums of the clubs represented within the squad. The journey began at Hull KR before travelling to Hull FC, Castleford, Wakefield, Leeds and Wigan, before finishing at Warrington.?
Supporters can still play their part in the team’s journey by donating to the Road to Australia fundraiser. Every contribution will help support the squad as they represent England on the world stage and defend their PDRL World Cup title – support here!
England PDRL are supported by sponsors Medequip, Warners Fish Merchants Ltd and Chadwick Lawrence Solicitors.
Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup 2026
Friday 30 October - Australia v England (KO 5:30am GMT)
Monday 2 November - England v New Zealand (KO 5:30am GMT)
Thursday 5 November - Australia v New Zealand (KO 5:30am GMT)
Sunday 8 November - PDRL World Cup Final (KO 5:30am GMT)
England PDRL Squad
1) Connor Lynes
2) Steve Bates
3) Nick Leigh
4) Callum Parkinson
5) Nick Kennedy
6) Darren Dean
7) Sam Zeller
8) Chris Bibby*
9) Adam Fleming
10) Ben Nicholson
11) Scott Gobin
12) Jamie Barnett
13) Tommy Pouncey
14) John Clements
15) Chris Young
16) Aaron Atkin
17) Corey Davies
18) Dan Bell*
19) Harvey Redmonds
20) Chris Cocks*
*Potential debutants
