McDermott, who succeeded Shaun Wane in April, has also made a major selection call at full-back.
AJ Brimson has been chosen ahead of Jack Welsby for England’s first game in Group B-C – a combined pool of six teams, from which the top two will go through to the semi-finals early next month.
“It was really close,” McDermott said of his full-back selection. “But Welsby is a fantastic international player.”
McDermott indicated that he was keen to use heritage players – those who qualify for England through family background – to ensure the strongest possible squad.
And Brisbane-born Brimson – who made his England debut in last year’s Ashes series against Australia – is one of four such players in the squad, alongside England debutant Max King.
Bulldogs prop King, born in Huddersfield while his Australian father David was a player there, features alongside fellow debutant Hugo Savala, part of Sydney Roosters’ NRL Grand Final-winning squad. Victor Radley is also in the XIII.
And they will need all their strength and savvy against a dangerous Tonga side, who asked plenty of questions during their tour of England in 2024.
“We have to take them on and meet fire with fire,” McDermott said. “But we don’t stay doing that for 80 minutes. We have to remain clever, while dealing with their physicality.”
All of the men’s and women’s teams for the first round of matches between Thursday and Sunday were announced on Tuesday at 06:00 BST.
England women’s coach Stu Barrow named his squad for their opener against Wales on Saturday in Perth (07:35 BST).
Jasmin Strange and Connie Boyd will make their international debuts, while uncapped Hope Millard is among the interchanges.
Opponents Wales will give a debut to second-row forward Paige Travis – who played for England at the last World Cup four years ago.
Tayla Preston – who captains Canterbury Bulldogs in the NRL Women’s Premiership – will start at scrum-half, with former rugby union international Ffion Lewis alongside her at stand-off, while Hannah Bluck will represent Wales at a fourth different sport.
Bluck has won senior Wales honours in rugby union as well as gaining junior rank recognition in football and basketball.
England women: Fran Goldthorp, Anna Davies, Georgia Wilson, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Isabel Rowe, Georgia Roche, Mary Coleman, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.
Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Jenna Foubister, Hope Millard.
Wales women: Leanne Burnell, Dani McGifford, Hannah Bluck, Zoe Heeley, Frances Layton, Ffion Lewis, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.
Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Katie Carr, Erin Williams.
