Samoa vs France Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2026 Men’s Rugby League World Cup | Pool Stage
by Alex Sarwar ·
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World Cup finalists back in 2022, Samoa are hoping to go one better in 2026 and they start against 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
Tickets: Visit this link to access the latest 2026 Rugby League World Cup tickets
Samoa team news: Luai and Paulo lead the Samoans
Co-captains Jarome Luai and Junior Paulo are two of five players in the Samoa squad who played in the 2022 World Cup final. They will be joined by some exciting new Samoan players desperate to take their NRL form to the international stage such as Newcastle Knights’ Francis Manuleleua.
Squad: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Brian To'o, Izack Tago, Stephen Crichton, Deine Mariner, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Jarome Luai, Francis Molo, Benaiah Ioelu, Junior Paulo, Connelly Lemuelu, Jermaine McEwen, Francis Manuleleua, Jazz Tevaga, Spencer Leniu, Shawn Blore, Sualauvi Fa'alogo, Ata Mariota, Clayton Faulalo, Ronald Volkman, Pasami Saulo, Enari Tuala
France team news: Super League heavy
Unsurprisingly, France’s squad is packed with players from Super League sides Catalans Dragons and Toulouse. Hull KR’s Arthur Mourgue is a big name with a big role to play for ‘Les Chanticleers’, whilst veteran Benjamin Garcia captains the side.
Squad: Arthur Mourgue, Benjamin Laguerre, Latrell Sieg walt, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Leo Darrelatour, Cesar Rouge, Theo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Benjamin Garcia, Lambert Belmas, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Jussaume, Julian Bousquet, Amir Bourouh, Tiaki Chan, Jordan Dezaria, Mathieu Cozza, Thomas Lacans, Louis Grossemy, Jowasa Drodrolagi, Romeo Tropis, Fouad Yaha
Samoa vs France prediction
On paper, this is a mismatch and France could be in for a very long 80 minutes against what is a Samoa side more than capable of making it back to the Men’s Rugby League World Cup final. The power-packed Samoans will be extremely difficult for France to keep pinned down and you would expect their NRL heavy-hitters like Manuleleua and Jermaine McEwen to be very influential.
Another player likely to prove an offensive juggernaut for Samoa is Penrith Panthers’ star Brian To’o. He was responsible for 16 tries and 24 NRL games this year and you would expect him to feast on this French backline. With little value in backing Samoa on the outright winner market, back To’o to register at least two tries.
Samoa vs France tip: Brian To’o to score two tries or more
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