England Men name squad for Rugby League World Cup fixture against Papua New Guinea

England Men’s Head Coach Brian McDermott has named his playing squad for Friday’s Rugby League World Cup fixture against Papua New Guinea in Wollongong (KO 9:05am). 

Dolphins forward Morgan Knowles makes his first appearance of the tournament. 

He had originally been named at prop for the opener against Tonga but was a late withdrawal due to injury. 

Former St Helens star Knowles also missed the 82-0 win against France but is fit to resume against the Kumuls and comes in at loose forward, with Victor Radley dropping to the bench. 

In the only other change to the provisional 19-man squad, Hull KR hooker Jez Litten is promoted into the starting line-up in place of Brad O'Neill while Ben Talty drops out of the 22-man wider squad. 

Teams will name six-person interchange benches throughout the Rugby League World Cup, with only four of those players actually being allowed to enter the field of play. 

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England Men v Papua New Guinea 

1) AJ Brimson 

2) Dom Young 

3) Hugo Savala 

4) Herbie Farnworth 

5) Matty Ashton 

6) George Williams 

7) Harry Smith 

8) Max King 

9) Jez Litten 

10) Luke Thompson 

11) Junior Nsemba 

12) Kai Pearce-Paul 

13) Morgan Knowles 

14) Mikey Lewis 

15) Sam Walters 

16) Ethan Havard 

17) Victor Radley 

18) Ben Currie 

19) Jack Welsby 

20) Brad O'Neill 

21) Zach Eckersley 

22) Kallum Watkins