England confirm Williams as captain for Rugby League World Cup

England head coach Brian McDermott has confirmed George Williams will be his captain at next month's Rugby League World Cup.

Williams suffered a neck injury and required surgery in April but returned to action in August and has hit the ground running for Warrington Wolves since, hoping to lead them to the Super League Grand Final.

Warrington face Hull KR in the eliminators this Saturday, live on Sky Sports, with the winner facing Wigan Warriors in the semi-finals before the Grand Final on October 3.

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McDermott has been impressed with Williams' return from injury and said his "leadership has been really good".

"I didn't really know George at all. In fact, I didn't know many of the squad at all, to be fair. I've only ever shook their hands after games," he said.

"I normally shook George's hand after his team beat my team when I was at Leeds. We had a horrible record against Wigan in the regular season!

"It's been really enjoyable to get to know him. He's keen as anything and while he was injured, you could tell if anyone was coming back from injury early then it would be him.

"I'm pleased to see the form he's in now, the intent he's playing. He's not feathering about on his feet and waiting for the game to come to him, he's going and getting the game. He goes and chases the game and that's George Williams all over.

"When he first broke into first grade, we all said, 'who the hell's this guy?' Because he went and got the game, he chased the game, whether he's trying to beat the bloke opposite him or quite often coming back to the inside and finding a lazy defender. Add a few years to that and he's got a bit stronger and wiser."

Who will be England's other half-backs?

Williams being captain means he will almost certainly take one of the half-back spots, which raises question marks over who will partner him.

Mikey Lewis, Jake Connor, Harry Smith and Hugo Savala are all in the mix but McDermott suggested only three will be on the plane to the World Cup, which takes place in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea from October 15 to November 15.

"Whether we take a six and a seven to back up the six and a seven that I have in mind to start, I'm still not sure," said McDermott.

"We're certainly going to take another half. We need to take another half. But if we take two halves as cover, it has an impact on how many covers we have for our outside backs, what cover we have with the back rowers, what cover we have for the other spine members as well. Some of that will be to do with form, some of that will be to do with versatility as well.

"If a guy can play in the halves, but he can also play at nine, I might favour that as well. Unsure yet. Certainly, the spine members there, it's a difficult one with the spine members.

"I've got to see them play in finals. Everyone would understand who the spine members are going to be or what other players I'm choosing from. But there's another couple out there that the finals will reveal.

"Can they handle the big occasion? Can they handle the game when there's so much on the balance? I'll certainly be taking one half as back-up. Whether I take two or not, it's dependent on the ship."

Super League play-offs schedule

Eliminators

Friday September 18: Wakefield Trinity vs Leigh Leopards, KO 8pm on Sky Sports

Saturday September 19, Warrington Wolves vs Hull KR, KO 5.30pm on Sky Sports

Semi-finals

Semi-Final 1 - Friday September 25, Leeds Rhinos vs TBC, 8pm KO on Sky Sports

Semi-Final 2 - Saturday 26 September, Wigan Warriors v TBC, 5.30pm KO on Sky Sports

The Super League play-offs begin on Friday September 18, live on Sky Sports, and continues all the way through until the Grand Final from Old Trafford on October 3.