England sports update: Cricket leadership resets and Rugby League World Cup preparations

The 2026 summer sports season in England has seen significant shifts across multiple disciplines. In cricket, the men’s white-ball team delivered strong performances, while the Test side underwent a reset of its coaching and leadership. The women’s team reached the T20 World Cup final at Lord’s, where they were defeated by Australia.

In rugby league, preparations are underway for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, which is scheduled to begin on October 15. Coach Brian McDermott aims to break England’s long tournament drought by utilizing a squad featuring both experienced international players and new heritage faces from the NRL, such as Billy Smith and Herbie Farnworth.