Lebanon vs France Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup | Pool Stage
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
A dead rubber between two eliminated sides sees Lebanon face France.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Premier Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Premier Player / USA – Premier Player
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Lebanon team news: Rajab ruled out
A hamstring injury will sideline Khaled Rajab for the rest of the World Cup, so Lebanon have replaced him in their squad with Shadi Hammond, who will sit on the interchange bench.
Squad: Jacob Kiraz, Tony Francis, Michael Gabrael, Jordan Samrani, Jason Saab, Joseph Nohra, Alex Conti, Jaxson Rahme, Moustafa Dirani, James Roumanos, Tony Sukkar, Abbas Miski, Alex Twal, Yehya Ayache, Tupou Francis, Jalal Bazzaz, Khalil Rahme, Shadi Hammoud, Mikael Ibrahim, Ibrahim El Labban, Cameron Kanaan, Mohamed Alameddine
France team news: Siegwalt out for French
France’s Latrell Siegwalt has suffered a shoulder injury which rules him out of contention for this one. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet will start, as will Leo Darrelatour.
Squad: Arthur Mourgue, Leo Darrelatour, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Romeo Tropis, Benjamin Laguerre, Cesar Rouge, Thomas Lacans, Romain Navarrete, Alrix Da Costa, Julian Bousquet, Mathieu Cozza, Mathieu Jussaume, Benjamin Garcia, Amir Bourouh, Lambert Belmas, Jordan Dezaria, Jowasa Drodrolagi, Theo Fages, Fouad Yaha, Tiaki Chan, Louis Grossemy, Arthur Romano
Lebanon vs France prediction
Neither of these two nations will be playing in the semi-finals, with Lebanon and France both already eliminated from contention after each losing their last two pool stage matches. Instead, this game is simply for pride and to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon. In terms of competitiveness, Lebanon have been by far the better team, conceding just 78 points compared to France’s 160.
The same can be said offensively, with Lebanon accumulating 14 more points than their opponents. But it’s the defence that is most crucial, and France’s inability to keep their opposition at bay makes backing the Cedars to take a lead early and eventually come out on top a sensible move.
Lebanon vs France tip: Lebanon HT/FT
