Watkins replaces injured Smithies in England World Cup squad — SkimNews
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- Kallum Watkins has been called up to England's Rugby League World Cup squad as a late replacement for Morgan Smithies, with the 35-year-old Leeds Rhinos second-row forward set for his fourth World Cup after featuring in 2013, 2017 and 2022.
- Morgan Smithies was forced to withdraw through an injury picked up in training, a blow to England given the lock/second-row's pedigree — he is set to join Perth Bears for the 2027 NRL season.
- Brian McDermott called Watkins's season at Leeds "terrific" and praised Smithies as "a real team player" whose work ethic and toughness England will miss, having previously coached Watkins during a "trophy-laden spell" at the Rhinos.
- Watkins will arrive in Perth before England's opener against Tonga on Saturday (10:05 BST) but will not play, instead becoming available for the group matches against France and Papua New Guinea.
- Watkins has 32 caps and started his career as a centre before shifting into the pack in recent years, making him a like-for-like positional swap for Smithies.
Why it matters: England lose a starting forward in Smithies, who was already on his way to Perth Bears for 2027, and plug the gap with a 35-year-old McDermott knows cold from Leeds' trophy years. But Watkins won't be available for Saturday's Tonga opener, meaning England must navigate their first group test with a forward reshuffle before he factors in.
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