LYON Rigby: "I have thought about how far we have to go for my life to actually change in a good way, and I think it's semis."

North America and Asia-Pacific were the biggest winners after the 2026 Main Stage Draw set them up in Round 1 of the League of Legends World Championship. had a tremendous season but couldn’t win the threepeat, a feat , the Mexican team’s Round 1 opponent, accomplished. Both teams played in this year’s MSI, and the Vietnamese are looking for revenge after LYON came out on top.

Before the start of the World Championship, Sheep Esports had an exclusive interview with LYON’s assistant coach Han “Rigby" Earl. The Korean coach shared a different perspective on how the team has adjusted its mentality, what result would positively change his life, and how to approach each match with respect.

Han “Rigby” Earl: “I can't think of the most accurate word, but going into playoffs, as soon as we made Worlds, I personally felt we were somewhat satisfied, or that this year had been good enough; we're going to Worlds. Now, we're going to do well in Worlds.

We weren't 100% for the finals or the playoff run, but after that, we felt we needed to take more responsibility coming into Worlds. This is what we’ve been looking for all year. Everyone's mindset has changed, and the gameplay changed drastically, too. It's a completely different situation from the playoffs coming into Worlds.

Rigby: Let's say someone's having a bad day; if you're not taking full responsibility that we're going to win this no matter what, because we already made Worlds, then it happens. That is less responsibility, in my opinion. Anyone can have a bad day- players and coaches, within the team- but we're ready to take responsibility and back them up when someone's on their lows, willing to do other people's work when you're in a good condition.

We've always been a team that focuses on playing each one's game, and if you're ahead while playing your own game, there’s definitely room to be useful and help the ones that are behind. That’s what we have been promoting throughout the year. We have a responsibility to back each other up and make sure the team wins with the advantage we have, if we are in that situation.

Rigby: Yeah, it's kind of like that, and then applying positive pressure. If someone's behind, you can’t do or see many plays, but you still have basic responsibilities in your in-game role. If someone's been off, then we apply positive responsibility. You at least have to keep track of this or let the team know what’s happening. Everyone's pressuring everyone in a really positive way. That is what we've been working on coming into this world for practice.

Rigby: If you look at how they played in their playoffs and at the Asian Games, because four of them made it to the Asian Games, they’re good. They're at a pretty good level. I can see why they made Worlds, so we have to watch the gameplay, and then if we feel that way, we’ll respect it. That’s the case for Team Secret Whales.

I don't think we have any problems with that. It's just the first game; we'd rather have an easy opponent. We have to make sure we win. One thing about our team is that we start slow on the first series at every international. I hope our team’s rookies are experienced enough not to start slowly this time. We have to win the first game somewhat cleanly so we can move on with a clean slate and figure out how to improve. That's what I'm expecting.

Rigby: I haven't felt it personally because I'm kind of low on interacting with the fans or media. I've been in the Army for two years, so many people forgot about me, but we've been winning a lot. We made every international, so I think we have a lot of fans. The players feel it, but fans or not, we're always doing it for the fans, and they do it for themselves. I think that's the highest motivation. If winning is good for you, that's why you have to work your ass [sic] off for it.

During the last playoffs, I felt a consensus that everyone wanted to do well with a specific teammate. I'm a coach, but I do well for the current coaching staff and our current teammates. We don't know what's going to happen next year, but we're having such a good time. We're so close, so we want to do as much as we can with this roster. Throughout my career, (Kacper Słoma) and (Kim Min-cheol) are two of my favorite players to work with; that’s my biggest motivation. I don't know when we'll be the next time, but I want to do something good so we can have good memories.

Rigby: That's actually a hard question. I haven't thought about what would be fun, but I have thought about how far we have to go for my life to actually change for the better, and I think it's semis. I think making quarters won't change sh*t. I'm not going to go to a top LCK team as a coach, or to one of the teams that will compete for the finals at Worlds just because I made quarters. That wouldn’t be life-changing.

And then, like, fun moment? I'm not sure. The moment I felt we were so close to each other was (Kang Sung-in) randomly messaging me, “I randomly thought that, like, you're so precious,” and then Inspired and I walked back to his house during playoffs when we were struggling. We were, like, “We might not make Worlds, but we're going to have next year, so it doesn't matter.” Then I responded, “But I want to do well with you guys,” and then Inspired was like, “It would be so sad, like, actually, if we don't make Worlds.” These moments come to mind. It's not funny, but it's fun, you know?

Rigby: If we were facing HLE or BLG and beating them, that’s what the fans want the most. However, we're facing Team Secret Whales. We've beaten them before, and we will beat them again. Tomorrow is just like the appetizer, you know? Enjoy how we look, but I hope there will be main courses. Wait for that.

Rigby: Because I can feel it. I can feel it in practice, in how the players are thinking through every detail of how to win the game and play better. I can feel this can be our moment. I have always thought about when my last year as a coach, and then this could be one; this is my moment. It’s always my moment, and this is too.”