Smithies Out of World Cup; Watkins Called Up — SkimNews
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- Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the Rugby League World Cup after picking up an injury in training, a blow to head coach Brian McDermott on the eve of the tournament.
- Kallum Watkins of Leeds Rhinos has been called up as Smithies' replacement, set to depart for Perth ahead of the weekend, though he will not feature in Saturday's opener against Tonga.
- At 35, Watkins would play in his fourth Rugby League World Cup should he feature, having previously represented England at the 2013, 2017 (final), and 2022 tournaments, and playing two of last year's three Ashes Tests against Australia.
- McDermott described Smithies' injury as "really unfortunate" and praised Watkins' "terrific season" with Leeds and his work in England's Performance Programme building into the World Cup.
- The injured Smithies is bound for NRL expansion franchise Perth Bears, while Watkins transitioned from centre to the pack in recent years and played under McDermott during his first stint as a player at Headingley.
- England sit in Group B alongside Lebanon and Samoa for the tournament, with the Saturday fixture against Tonga coming before Watkins can be integrated into the squad.
Why it matters: England lose a starting forward on the eve of a World Cup opener, forcing McDermott to field a reshuffled pack against Tonga without his natural replacement. Watkins' four-tournament pedigree and Ashes experience soften the blow, but he cannot play Saturday, meaning England's first-choice forward combination is broken before a ball is kicked.
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