Litten and Knowles in as O'Neill drops out for England

Jez Litten and Morgan Knowles are brought into the starting line-up for England's must-win Rugby League World Cup match against Papua New Guinea – with Brad O'Neill dropping out. Jez Litten and Morgan Knowles have been brought into the starting line-up for England's must-win Men's Rugby League World Cup match against Papua New Guinea – with Brad O'Neill dropping out of the squad. Hull KR's Litten comes in at hooker as head coach Brian McDermott chases a big victory in their final Group B-C match on Wollongong on Friday (09:05 GMT) to keep alive hopes of reaching the semi-finals. O'Neill, named the best player in Super League in 2026, is not in the 19-player matchday squad, having worn the number nine for last Saturday's victory over France.

Dolphins lock Knowles comes in after missing the opening two matches with a calf injury, replacing Victor Radley, who drops to the bench. Warrington's Matty Ashton, brought in for the France match, retains his place on the wing, with Wigan's Zach Eckersley again not in the matchday 19. McDermott, however, has made late changes to his initial matchday squad for both of England's two matches so far, and may do so again before Friday. On the backfoot since being beaten 30-12 by Tonga in their opening game, England responded with a crushing 82-0