In what could be their final game of the tournament, England take on Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on Friday needing a big win and other results to go their way in order to reach the semi-finals.

In order to progress, McDermott's side must beat the Kumuls and then hope Tonga beat Samoa in Sydney on Sunday alongside a 68-point swing in points difference in England's favour.

Following a try-scoring World Cup appearance against France on Saturday, Saints full-back Welsby is again named on the bench.

He was brought into the France clash in the second half as a loose-forward and then centre as McDermott packed his side with attacking flair to rack up a big score, which they did by winning 82-0.

The major changes to the line-up are Hull KR's Jez Litten coming in to start at hooker in place of Wigan's Brad O'Neill while fit-again former Saints forward Morgan Knowles, who is now at the Dolphins in the NRL, is named to start at loose forward, with Sydney Roosters enforcer Victor Radley on the bench.

For Knowles it will be his first appearance of the tournament. 

He had originally been named at prop for the opener against Tonga but was a late withdrawal due to injury. 

McDermott is free to make changes within his named 22 players, as he has done for both pool-stage matches thus far.

England team to face Papua New Guinea, Rugby League World Cup

AJ Brimson; Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Matty Ashton; George Williams, Harry Smith; Max King, Jez Litten, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Morgan Knowles.

Subs: Mikey Lewis, Sam Walters, Ethan Havard, Victor Radley, Ben Currie, Jack Welsby

Reserves: Brad O'Neill, Zach Eckersley, Kallum Watkins