All smiles for Hull KR's 'proud' Mikey Lewis as he targets England World Cup progression

England must beat Papua New Guinea in their final pool match on Friday to have any hope of progressing in the tournament Down Under.

Even if they do that, however, they will still need Tonga – the team they lost to in their opening game of the tournament – to beat Samoa on Sunday, with the combined results needing to produce a swing of at least 68 points in England’s favour.

So far, Lewis has had to content himself with one, 20-minute cameo performance from the bench but he is willing to put personal ambitions aside to help England take care of business in Wollongong tomorrow.

“It’s going to be a really tough game but we’ve got the strike power and the desire and commitment between each other to get this job done,” said Lewis, who will again start on the bench.

“We’re in with a fighting chance, we believe that. We feel it in these four walls.

“We believe that we can go and achieve anything we want and we’ve just got to put the hard work in, like we did last week, and see where it takes us.

“We find ourselves in a really unique position and we’re just going to make sure that we enjoy it, enjoy the challenge and just see where we go.”

Having been left out for the game against Tonga, Lewis scored two tries in an eye-catching substitute appearance in last weekend’s 82-0 demolition of France.

After a difficult season with Rovers, when the form of both team and player fell away after a memorable 2025, it is a role the 25-year-old is happy to play.

He said: “I’m completely fine with it. It’s part and parcel of being involved with a really good squad.

“Last week the hard work was done. My job was just to go run the ball and cause havoc. That was my instructions and I felt like I did that.

“Obviously, the way my year went wouldn’t be the best. I know that. I don’t need anyone else to tell me how I went this year. Luckily I got the call to come and here I am, loving it. I’ll play anywhere as long as I represent my country, and I’ll do that to the best of my ability.

“Wherever I play this week, how long I play, whatever type of game, I might get different instructions to do this, but it is what it is.

“I'm playing for my country with a lot of pride, enjoyment and a massive smile on my face. And that was a big thing on Saturday, I was playing with a smile on my face, something I hadn't done for a little bit.

“And I felt like I did that. I didn't know it was only 20 minutes, but 20 minutes is 20 minutes playing for my country, so I don't really care.”

While Lewis is left waiting for his first start in the tournament – something he will now be hoping can happen the following week should England make it through to the semi-final stages – his Robins’ team-mate Jez Litten has been promoted from the bench to start Friday’s game, something he believes is fully deserved.

“Jez has been playing fantastic all year,” added Lewis. “He's a player that doesn't get a lot of recognition and I feel like he needs to because of the things he does.

“For such a small body in that middle, he throws his weight about, I'll tell you that – but I don't want to give him too many raps.

“He's been fantastic in this camp. He's really took it by two hands now and when he's come off that bench, he has made such a difference.

“And that is part of his job as well, to go on there and pick defences off and that's what he's done. I love watching him play from the sidelines as well – but I also love playing with him, so it's all good.”

Friday's game will be packed with emotion on several fronts, particularly at the end, when Lewis’ Hull KR team-mate Rhyse Martin bids farewell to a stellar playing career.

And while it may seem harsh, Lewis has few qualms about sending his good friend off into retirement on the back of a loss.

Martin played a pivotal role in helping secure the club’s historic first treble in 2025. He was also alongside Lewis and Litten when the Robins backed up that remarkable campaign by becoming World Champions in February this year when they beat Brisbane Broncos 30-24.

“Rhyse has been at it for what, over 10 years? He's pretty old now, but my respect is through the roof for him,” said Lewis.

“The way he plays the game and he kicks goals as well, which I feel like is bizarre for a back-rower and I feel like he's probably the last one in the game. But what he's done in Australia and then come over to England and what he did at Leeds and then last year for Hull KR was fantastic – I got to win all three trophies with him and then, this year, become World Champions with him.

“It's a credit to him how he's gone about his career. It's just a shame that it might be a loss at the end of his career – but it is what it is, isn't it?”