Mikey Lewis: I’ve earned my England Rugby League World Cup spot – ‘We still have fighting chance’

Mikey Lewis: I’ve earned my England Rugby League World Cup spot – ‘We still have fighting chance’ | Rugby League News

October 28, 2026:

Mikey Lewis: I’ve earned my England Rugby League World Cup spot – ‘We still have fighting chance’ | Rugby League News

Mikey Lewis insists he has ‘earned’ his place in England’s Rugby League World Cup squad despite limited game time so far.

The 2024 Man of Steel winner with Hull KR, Lewis struggled for form during the course of the 2026 Super League season, but was included in Brian McDermott’s England squad for the World Cup.

Yet the 25-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for England’s opening 30-12 defeat to Tonga and was initially overlooked again for their second clash with France, before a late reshuffle saw him named on the bench.

Lewis emerged for the final 20 minutes against the French, scoring two tries as part of a crushing 82-0 victory.

For Friday’s must-win contest against Papua New Guinea in Wollongong, Lewis has been named in the squad on the bench.

“The way my year went wasn’t really the best, I don’t need anyone else to tell me,” Lewis said. “I just had to put myself in the shop window. I have earned my spot.

“I’ll always represent my country to the best of my ability. I was told to run with the ball, and I wanted to play with a smile on my face.

“Last week the hard work was done, my job was to go and cause havoc – that was my instruction, and I did that.

“I might get different instructions this week, but I’ll do it, because I am proud to play for my country – 20 minutes is 20 minutes for England, I don’t really care it’s only 20 minutes.”

‘We still have a fighting chance of making semi-finals’

Speaking to media last week, head coach McDermott said Lewis had shown “humility” in camp, adding he had endured “a frustrating end to the season.”

For McDermott, Lewis and England, attentions now turn to the task of qualifying for the semi-finals.

A potential first-ever group-stage exit at the Rugby League World Cup loomed after England’s heavy opening defeat to Tonga, and despite thrashing France, their semi-final hopes remain out of their hands.

The tournament’s unusual format sees Groups B and C merge into a six-team table, with only the top two sides advancing to the semi-finals.

England have two points heading into Friday’s final pool clash with Papua New Guinea and need a convincing victory, alongside favourable results elsewhere, to stand any chance of progressing.

Quite simply, before Tonga face Samoa, England must beat Papua New Guinea and do it by a considerable margin.

Samoa’s thumping 78-4 win over France in their tournament opener and a 64-6 victory over Papua New Guinea on Saturday leaves them with an impressive +132 point difference.

England beating France takes them to a +64 points difference, 68 points behind Samoa heading into the final round of fixtures. Another win Friday would lift them to four points and level with both Samoa and Tonga.

McDermott’s side would then be left to wait 48 hours for the outcome of Tonga vs Samoa in Sydney. A Samoa win would guarantee England’s elimination, while a Tonga victory would see the points difference decide second spot.

England don’t necessarily need to beat Papua New Guinea by 68 points or more, but a victory by that margin would mean any loss for Samoa would be enough to progress.

A smaller England win would see them need Samoa losing by a bigger score, depending on England’s final points difference.

“We just have to go out and do what we have planned,” Lewis said.

“It will be a tough game, but we have the strike and desire.

“We have a fighting chance, we believe in that. So, we just have to put the hard work in. It is a unique position, so just enjoy that.”

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