Brian McDermott has confirmed George Williams will captain England at the Rugby League World Cup, a decision that leaves the head coach with a tricky half-back problem to solve.
Williams returned from neck surgery in August and has been a standout for Warrington Wolves since, chasing the game with the intent McDermott described. The captaincy comes as England prepare for the tournament in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 15 to November 15.
“He’s keen as anything and while he was injured, you could tell if anyone was coming back from injury early then it would be him.”
Williams’ return from surgery
Williams suffered a neck injury and required surgery in April. He returned to action in August and has hit the ground running for Warrington Wolves, who face Hull KR in the Super League eliminators this Saturday, live on Sky Sports.
His form since coming back has been strong enough for McDermott to hand him the armband for the World Cup. The coach said his leadership has been “really good” during the return.
“He’s not feathering about on his feet and waiting for the game to come to him, he’s going and getting the game,” McDermott said. “He goes and chases the game and that’s George Williams all over.”
Getting to know Williams
McDermott admits he barely knew Williams before this summer. The two men crossed paths as opponents rather than colleagues.
“I didn’t really know George at all. In fact, I didn’t know many of the squad at all, to be fair. I’ve only ever shaken their hands after games,” he said.
“I normally shook George’s hand after his team beat my team when I was at Leeds. We had a horrible record against Wigan in the regular season!”
The coach’s admission shows how little he knew of Williams before this summer.
“I’m pleased to see the form he’s in now, the intent he’s playing,” McDermott added. “When he first broke into first grade, we all said, ‘who the hell’s this guy?’ Because he went and got the game, he chased the game, whether he’s trying to beat the bloke opposite him or quite often coming back to the inside and finding a lazy defender.”
The half-back dilemma
Williams being captain means he will almost certainly take one of the half-back spots. That leaves McDermott with a question mark over who will partner him.
Mikey Lewis, Jake Connor, Harry Smith and Hugo Savala are all in the mix. McDermott has suggested only three half-backs will be on the plane to the World Cup.
“Whether we take a six and a seven to back up the six and a seven that I have in mind to start, I’m still not sure,” he said. “We’re certainly going to take another half. We need to take another half. But if we take two halves as cover, it has an impact on how many covers we have for our outside backs, what cover we have with the back rowers, what cover we have for the other spine members as well.”
The coach’s hesitation is telling. He wants a full bench but knows space is limited.
“Some of that will be to do with form, some of that will be to do with versatility as well. If a guy can play in the halves, but he can also play at nine, I might favour that as well. Unsure yet. Certainly, the spine members there, it’s a difficult one with the spine members.”
Seeing players in finals
McDermott has made it clear he will not commit to his spine until he sees players in pressure. The Super League finals series offers that chance.
“I’ve got to see them play in finals. Everyone would understand who the spine members are going to be or what other players I’m choosing from. But there’s another couple out there that the finals will reveal,” he said.
The semi-finals start on Friday September 25, with Leeds Rhinos hosting TBC at 8pm on Sky Sports. The second semi-final is Saturday 26 September, with Wigan Warriors hosting TBC at 5.30pm.
The Grand Final takes place at Old Trafford on October 3.
Play-offs schedule
The Super League play-offs begin on Friday September 18, with Wakefield Trinity facing Leigh Leopards at 8pm on Sky Sports. Warrington Wolves meet Hull KR on Saturday September 19 at 5.30pm.
The winners of those matches advance to the semi-finals, where Warrington would face Wigan Warriors if they win. The loser of the Wakefield-Leigh match faces Leeds Rhinos.
All matches are live on Sky Sports.
What the captaincy means for Warrington
Williams is aiming to lead Warrington to the Super League Grand Final. His captaincy for England will overlap with the club’s own push for silverware.
Warrington face Hull KR in the eliminators this Saturday, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals before the Grand Final on October 3.
Our view
The delight in this story comes from McDermott’s admission that he barely knew Williams before this summer. It is a self-deprecating moment from a coach who has now taken the time to get to know the player.
McDermott’s description of Williams as a player who “goes and gets the game” is the clearest possible endorsement of someone he met only through shaking hands after games.
The half-back dilemma remains unresolved, but that is a problem McDermott has chosen willingly. Williams’ form since returning from injury has made him the obvious choice for captain, and the coach has backed that judgement publicly.
The Super League finals will settle many questions. The spine positions are still open, and the World Cup squad will not be finalised until after the Grand Final.
For now, the focus is on Saturday’s eliminators. Warrington Wolves will be looking to put themselves in the position to challenge for the title, and Williams will be leading the charge.
See the video the story is built around at Skysports.
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