Rugby League World Cup: New coach, old scars and three titles up for grabs

The Rugby League World Cup kicks off on Thursday at 10:05 BST with reigning champions Australia facing New Zealand in Sydney. The men's final will be played in Brisbane on 15 November. Three tournaments will run side by side across Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

England's men go in with a new voice in charge. Brian McDermott is head coach for the tournament after England lost 3-0 at home to Australia last autumn, a series defeat that led to Shaun Wane's departure, according to BBC Sport.

The scars from the last World Cup are still fresh. Four years ago England lost 27-26 to Samoa in a golden-point semi-final at Emirates Stadium, extra time where the first score wins. McDermott is now trying to lead England to only their second men's final since 1995.

The task starts quickly. England open on Saturday against Tonga, then face France and Papua New Guinea. They sit in a combined six-team Pool B-C, with the top two reaching the semi-finals.

Leadership is settled. George Williams is captain, and Harry Smith has been named alongside him in the half-back roles for the opening match, the two playmakers who steer the attack, according to BBC Sport. McDermott's 23-man squad contains 10 players based in the NRL, Australia's top club competition. That matters. It means much of the squad knows the grounds, the pace and the opposition.

Australia's women begin their own title defence on Friday at 10:05 BST against Samoa in Sydney. They are chasing a fourth successive World Cup crown.

England carry the favourite's tag in the wheelchair tournament. The defending champions start against Wales in Wollongong on 30 October at 04:30 BST.

The shape of the event is leaner than last time. The men's tournament features 10 teams, down from 16 in 2021, while the women's and wheelchair tournaments each feature eight teams, according to Reuters. Australia is hosting the bulk of all three competitions, including every wheelchair match. Papua New Guinea stages two men's and two women's games, and New Zealand stages one of each.

For fans, this means a short, sharp World Cup with little room to grow into form. England's men in particular cannot afford a slow start against Tonga, with Australia and New Zealand waiting on the other side of the draw.