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Titans assistant lands England top job

The Titans congratulate NRL assistant coach Brian McDermott on his appointment as England head coach ahead of the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.

The proud Englishman will take on the role as the most successful coach in the Super League, winning four titles in charge of the Leeds Rhinos, alongside Challenge Cup and World Club Challenge victories.

He has also won three premierships as a player and represented England / Great Britain in five Tests, becoming a highly respected figure in the international game.

McDermott will take on the prestigious role while continuing his NRL duties after joining Josh Hannay’s coaching staff ahead of the 2026 season.

“Brian’s appointment is a fantastic recognition of the calibre of coach and person he is,” Hannay said.

“He’s brought a wealth of experience, strong leadership and a genuine passion for developing players and staff, and we’ve already seen the benefits of that within our group.

“He’s more than deserving of the appointment and we’re proud to see him take on such a significant role.

“We wish him all the best when he begins at the Rugby League World Cup later this year.”

Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said the appointment was something that made the entire organisation extremely proud.

“This is a tremendous honour for Brian and a great reflection on the work he continues to do here at the Titans,” Mitchell said.

“To have one of our coaches leading a proud nation like England is significant, not just for Brian personally, but for our club as we continue to build a high-performance environment that attracts and develops world-class talent.

“I know how passionate he is for rugby league in his homeland and the vision he shares to achieve sustained success on the international stage.

“We’re thrilled to support Brian in this role and look forward to the knowledge and experience he will bring back into our program.”

Acknowledgement of Country

Gold Coast Titans proudly acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we are situated, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continuing connections to the lands, waters and their extended communities throughout South East Queensland.