Four years ago, England’s men suffered a gut-wrenching 27-26 golden-point World Cup semi-final defeat by Samoa at Emirates Stadium.
Series wins over Tonga in 2023 and Samoa a year later banished some of those memories – but last autumn brought a 3-0 home series loss to Australia.
The manner of that defeat led to Shaun Wane’s departure and a new head coach in McDermott, who is seeking to lead England to only their second final since 1995.
However, prior to his squad’s arrival Down Under last week, the Gold Coast Titans assistant had not even had the benefit of a training session with his players.
There was no mid-season international this year to help England prepare for a World Cup programme that begins on Saturday against a powerful Tonga side packed with NRL talent.
England then take on France and Papua New Guinea in Pool B-C – a combined six-team group from which the top two will reach the semi-finals.
Yet despite limited preparation opportunities, England will have hope of reaching a fourth final if they find their rhythm.
McDermott’s 23-man squad boasts arguably the best centre in the world in Dolphins star Herbie Farnworth, while lock Victor Radley has just helped Sydney Roosters win the Grand Final in Australia.
They are two of 10 NRL-based players selected by the former Leeds boss, who has taken advantage of utilising heritage players to call up versatile Roosters back Hugo Savala and Brisbane Broncos front-rower Ben Talty.
Huddersfield-born Canterbury Bulldogs prop Max King, who has previously appeared for New South Wales in State of Origin, will also make his bow, and with Harry Smith among seven Wigan players in contention, there will be no shortage of big-game experience in England’s ranks.
While England showed plenty of passion and physicality against Australia in 2025, McDermott has emphasised that more guile is required in attack.
“We have got to do things differently,” McDermott said.
“Being passionate to play for England is huge. You have to be aggressive to play our game, you have to be a warrior, a gladiator – but you have to have some smart attack as well.
“You have to play with a point of difference and attack into certain areas. I don’t believe too many England teams have done that over the years.”
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