How England’s rugby league bosses plan to avoid repeat of World Cup pain

The Rugby Football League has launched a strategic review panel to overhaul English rugby league following early group-stage exits for both the men's and women's teams at the World Cup. Former internationals Paul Sculthorpe, Jodie Cunningham, and Adrian Morley have been appointed to help structure the long-term future under the "One Game, One England" initiative. RFL chief executive Ian Nolan stated that the sport cannot make excuses for falling short.

England men's head coach Brian McDermott highlighted the critical need to reform domestic structures to bridge the talent and resource divide with Australia's National Rugby League. Nolan noted that while grassroots programs like the Diploma in Sporting Excellence are developing younger talent, genuine progress across media rights, talent pathways, and elite competition will require patience and could take four to ten years to fully pay off.