England v Papua New Guinea team news: Brad O’Neill dropped as Litten and Knowles start

Brad O’Neill has been dropped to the reserves as Brian McDermott makes two changes for England’s must-win Rugby League World Cup match against Papua New Guinea.

The England v Papua New Guinea team news sees Jez Litten promoted to starting hooker and Morgan Knowles return from injury at loose forward, replacing Victor Radley.

England face PNG at WIN Stadium in Wollongong on Friday 30 October, with kick-off at 9.05am UK time. Victory would keep their semi-final hopes alive, but their fate also depends on Sunday’s meeting between Tonga and Samoa.

Brad O’Neill drops out of England’s matchday 19

O’Neill, the reigning Man of Steel, started England’s opening two matches but has been named among the three reserves for Friday’s game.

Hull KR hooker Litten takes the number nine shirt after coming off the bench in Saturday’s 82-0 victory over France. He is named to make his first start of the tournament, according to Sky Sports.

O’Neill remains among the reserves in England’s wider named squad, although he is outside the initial matchday 19. The selection remains subject to changes before kick-off.

The other change brings Knowles into the starting side after a calf injury kept him out of England’s first two games. He is selected at loose forward, with Radley moving to the interchange bench.

England v Papua New Guinea team news: full starting XIII

The official NRL team announcement lists the following England side:

Number	Player	Position
1	AJ Brimson	Full-back
2	Dominic Young	Wing
3	Hugo Savala	Centre
4	Herbie Farnworth	Centre
5	Matty Ashton	Wing
6	George Williams	Stand-off
7	Harry Smith	Scrum-half
8	Max King	Prop
9	Jez Litten	Hooker
10	Luke Thompson	Prop
11	Junior Nsemba	Second row
12	Kai Pearce-Paul	Second row
13	Morgan Knowles	Loose forward

Interchange: 14 Mikey Lewis, 15 Sam Walters, 16 Ethan Havard, 17 Victor Radley, 18 Ben Currie, 19 Jack Welsby.

Reserves: 20 Brad O’Neill, 21 Zach Eckersley, 22 Kallum Watkins.

Williams and Smith retained as Lewis waits on the bench

McDermott has kept George Williams and Harry Smith together in the halves, with Mikey Lewis again among the interchange options.

Matty Ashton retains his place on the wing, while AJ Brimson continues at full-back. Jack Welsby is also on the bench, giving England another attacking option as they chase the points needed to improve their qualification position.

The six-player bench gives McDermott flexibility, but only four of those players can enter the field. Our Rugby League World Cup bench rules explainer sets out how the system works.

What England need to reach the World Cup semi-finals

England’s heavy win over France kept them in contention following their opening defeat by Tonga. However, beating Papua New Guinea would not guarantee progression.

If Samoa beat Tonga on Sunday, England will be eliminated regardless of their result on Friday, Sky Sports explains.

A Tonga victory would leave England competing with Samoa on points difference, provided McDermott’s side have beaten PNG.

England currently trail Samoa by 68 points on that measure. England’s winning margin and Tonga’s winning margin would therefore need to add up to at least 69 to put England ahead outright on points difference.

There is no single required winning margin against PNG because Sunday’s result also changes the calculation. Our England World Cup qualification guide explains the possible outcomes.

England v Papua New Guinea: your questions answered

What time is England v Papua New Guinea?

The match kicks off at 9.05am GMT on Friday 30 October at WIN Stadium in Wollongong.

What channel is England v Papua New Guinea on?

Premier Sports will show the Rugby League World Cup match live in the UK.

Is Brad O’Neill playing against Papua New Guinea?

O’Neill has been named among the reserves, outside England’s initial matchday 19. Jez Litten is selected to start at hooker, although changes remain possible before kick-off.

Will England qualify if they beat Papua New Guinea?

Not automatically. England also need Tonga to beat Samoa and a sufficient swing in points difference to move ahead of Samoa.

England’s women also face a decisive fixture on Friday. Read our England Women v Samoa team news, with Georgia Roche returning and Eva Hunter unavailable.