England head coach Brian Mc Dermott has expanded his performance squad, adding Umyla Hanley of Leigh Leopards and Hugo Savala of the Sydney Roosters ahead of the autumn Rugby League World Cup. Hanley, who earned a spot in the Super League Dream Team in 2025, has returned from injury in May and immediately impacted with six tries and ten try‑assists, helping Leopards win nine of the 12 games he has played. Savala, a 24‑year‑old Roosters halfback, has impressed in the NRL this season, scoring eight tries and solidifying his place as one of the league’s rising stars.

Mc Dermott emphasised that the original 38 players list was just a starting point and that form in the final stretch of the season remains a key avenue for players to secure a World Cup berth. He highlighted the intense competition ahead, with England’s campaign set to begin on 17 October against Tonga at HBF Park in Perth, followed by matches against France and Papua New Guinea.

Both Hanley and Savala’s inclusion reflects England’s strategy of blending domestic Super League talent with protegés from the Roosters system, offering a balanced squad ready for the tournament’s challenges.