England Lose Morgan Smithies to Training Injury on Eve of Rugby League World Cup
England have been forced into a late squad change for the Rugby League World Cup after forward Morgan Smithies was ruled out with a training injury, with 35-year-old veteran Kallum Watkins called up as his replacement.
England's Rugby League World Cup preparations have taken a blow before a ball has even been kicked. The squad confirmed on Wednesday that forward Morgan Smithies has been ruled out of the entire tournament after picking up an injury in training that ended his campaign. Smithies was already one of four absentees for England's opening game against Tonga on Saturday, and head coach Brian McDermott has now replaced him in the squad with 35-year-old Kallum Watkins.
The Leeds Rhinos back rower, vice captain of his club, enjoyed a strong season at Headingley and had been part of England's performance programme building into the tournament. McDermott praised Watkins' experience and said he looked forward to welcoming him into camp as preparations step up. If Watkins takes the field, it would be his fourth World Cup, having featured for England in 2013, 2017 and 2023, as well as in last year's Ashes Tests against Australia. McDermott called the Smithies setback "really unfortunate," praising the Raiders forward's work ethic and toughness and saying he had been excellent since entering camp.
The news lands on the same day as Australia open their title defence against New Zealand at Allianz Stadium, where Mitch Moses has been handed the prized Kangaroos No. 7 jersey following Nathan Cleary's injury, with Moses confirming that representing Australia was always his first choice over Lebanon.