England rocked by injury on eve of World Cup

Key points

• Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup due to an injury picked up in training.
• Kallum Watkins will travel to Australia to replace Smithies in England's squad.
• Watkins is not expected to play in Saturday's opening match against Tonga.

England's Rugby League World Cup preparations have been disrupted after Morgan Smithies was ruled out of the tournament with an injury. The lock and second-row forward, who is set to join Perth Bears, picked up the injury in training.

Leeds Rhinos' Kallum Watkins will travel to Australia to take Smithies' place in the squad. Watkins, 35, will arrive in Perth ahead of the weekend but is not expected to feature in Saturday's opener against Tonga.

McDermott on Smithies loss

Head coach Brian McDermott said the injury was unfortunate and that Smithies had been a strong presence since joining the camp. McDermott added that Smithies' work ethic and toughness would be missed.

McDermott also welcomed Watkins, noting his strong season with Leeds and his involvement in the England Performance Programme. He said he looked forward to having Watkins in camp as preparations intensify.

It's really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training.

— Brian McDermott

Watkins set for fourth World Cup

Watkins, who began his career as a centre and has moved into the pack in recent years, has played under McDermott at club level during a previous spell at Headingley. If he plays, it will be his fourth Rugby League World Cup, after representing England in 2013 and 2022 on home soil and in 2017 in Australia, when England reached the final.

England are in Group B alongside Lebanon and Samoa. Group A features Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands and Fiji, while Group C comprises France, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.