England Names Litten, Knowles for PNG

England has shuffled the starting XV for a clash with Papua New Guinea on Friday, as coach Brian McDermott drops Brad O'Neill. Hull KR's hooker Jez Litten replaces O'Neill, while Dolphins lock Morgan Knowles comes in for the bench-bound Victor Radley after a calf injury. O'Neill, named Super League's best player in 2026, wore the number nine in last Saturday's 82-0 win over France. Knowles missed the first two games with a calf problem, while Victor Radley has dropped to the bench. McDermott has already made late changes to both of England's matches so far, and may do so again before Friday. England's 30-12 loss to Tonga left them on foot, but the 82-0 win over France kept their semi-final hopes. England beat Papua New Guinea on Friday, hope Tonga beats Samoa, with a 68-point deficit that could knock them out. If Tonga wins, the points difference will decide; England currently trails Samoa by 68 points.