# Watkins called up as Smithies injury forces England change

> England rugby league replace injured Morgan Smithies with 35-year-old Kallum Watkins for the World Cup in Perth.
- Title: Watkins called up as Smithies injury forces England change
- Summary: England rugby league replace injured Morgan Smithies with 35-year-old Kallum Watkins for the World Cup in Perth. England rugby league called up 35-year-old…
- Keywords: england rugby league, rugby league world cup 2026, kallum watkins, morgan smithies, brian mcdermott, perth, sports, Watkins, called, Smithies, injury, forces
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cmewed1rgndro
- Published: 2026-10-14T14:11:00.336+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: england rugby league, rugby league world cup 2026, kallum watkins, morgan smithies, brian mcdermott, perth, sports
## Watkins replaces injured Smithies
Kallum Watkins has been called up to England's Rugby League World Cup squad as a late replacement after Morgan Smithies was forced to withdraw through injury.
## McDermott backs familiar choice
Head coach Brian McDermott knows Watkins well from their time together at Leeds Rhinos. McDermott said Watkins enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of England's performance programme building into…

> Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England performance programme building into this World Cup.
## Watkins arrives but sits out opener
The thirty five year old Leeds Rhinos second-row forward is set to arrive in Perth before England's World Cup opener against Tonga on Saturday at ten oh five BST but will not play.
## Key takeaway

England rugby league called up 35-year-old Kallum Watkins to replace injured Morgan Smithies in their Rugby League World Cup squad.