England vs France Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup | Pool Stage
by Alex Sarwar ·
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An all-European clash between England and France, who are each desperately searching for their first win of the tournament.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – Premier Player
Tickets: Visit this link to access the latest 2026 Rugby League World Cup tickets
England team news: Knowles missing
Morgan Knowles’ absence was felt badly by England against Tonga and he won’t be back for the rest of the tournament due to his injury picked up just before that first game. Luke Thompson fills in again, whilst Matty Ashton is set to start over Zach Eckersley.
Squad: AJ Brimson, Dominic Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O'Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley, Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton, Kallum Watkins, Mikey Lewis, Ben Talty
France team news: Darrelatour withdrawn
There is no place in the squad for Leo Darrelatour as France shuffles their pack ahead of this must-win match. Amir Bourouh, Thomas Lacans and Romeo Tropis all starting. Cesar Rouge has been moved to the interchange bench along with Lambert Belmas.
Squad: Arthur Mourgue, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Latrell Siegwalt, Romeo Tropis, Benjamin Laguerre, Thomas Lacans, Theo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Amir Bourouh, Julian Bousquet, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Jussaume, Benjamin Garcia, Cesar Rouge, Lambert Belmas, Mathieu Cozza, Louis Grossemy, Jordan Dezaria, Fouad Yaha, Jowasa Drodrolagi, Tiaki Chan, Alrix Da Costa
Can England still qualify for the semi-finals?
Open poll and resultsEngland vs France prediction
France were taught a lesson by Samoa in what was a demolition job. Outgunned and outclassed in every way, Les Bleus simply could not compete with the Samoans, who never took their foot off the gas and punished France even further as they grew more and more tired in the second half. In the end, Samoa added 44 points with conceding in the second period, winning 78-4 and sentencing France to almost certain elimination after just one game.
Whilst France have to pick themselves back up and try to put up more of a challenge against England, who they are at least more familiar with in terms of personnel, Brian McDermott’s side are still smarting after going down to Tonga in their first match and know that this next encounter is do-or-die for them as well.
Like Samoa, England are far better than France when you match-up both squads and wanting to prove a point to those watching at home, don’t expect this England side to slow down at any point as they bid to put as many points on the board as possible, which could be vital come the end of the pool stage. Back a large win for McDermott’s men in Perth.
England vs France tip: England to win with -48.5 handicap
