England’s semi-final hopes are hanging by a thread as they prepare to face France in a must-win Rugby League World Cup clash in Perth. After suffering a disappointing opening-round loss to Tonga, the English not only need victory but may also need to build a significant points differential to keep pace with Samoa and Tonga in the race for the knockout stages.
France, meanwhile, will be hoping to restore some pride after their heavy defeat to Samoa. While the result appears a foregone conclusion on paper, England knows that every point could prove crucial in determining whether its World Cup campaign extends beyond the group stage.
Read Full Previews
Men’s Rugby League World Cup
- Tonga vs Lebanon → tonga-vs-lebanon-rlwc-preview-2026
- Papua New Guinea vs Samoa → papua-new-guinea-vs-samoa-rlwc-preview-2026
- England vs France → england-vs-france-rlwc-preview-2026
- New Zealand vs Cook Islands → new-zealand-vs-cook-islands-rlwc-preview-2026
- Australia vs Fiji → australia-vs-fiji-rlwc-preview-2026
Women’s Rugby League World Cup
- Australia vs England → australia-vs-england-womens-rlwc-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Saturday, October 24, 5:35pm AEDT at HBF Park, Perth
Referee: Adam Gee | Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
England: 1. AJ Brimson, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Hugo Savala, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Zach Eckersley, 6. George Williams (c), 7. Harry Smith, 8. Max King, 9. Brad O’Neill, 10. Luke Thompson, 11. Junior Nsemba, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Victor Radley, 14. Jez Litten, 15. Ben Currie, 16. Ethan Havard, 17. Sam Walters, 18. Jack Welsby, 19. Matty Ashton, R. Kallum Watkins, R. Mikey Lewis, R. Ben Talty
France: 1. Arthur Mourgue, 2. Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, 3. Latrell Siegwalt, 4. Romeo Tropis, 5. Benjamin Laguerre, 6. Thomas Lacans, 7. Theo Fages, 8. Romain Navarrete, 9. Amir Bourouh, 10. Julian Bousquet, 11. Arthur Romano, 12. Mathieu Jussaume, 13. Benjamin Garcia (c), 14. Cesar Rouge, 15. Lambert Belmas, 16. Mathieu Cozza, 17. Louis Grossemy, 18. Jordan Dezaria, 19. Fouad Yaha, R. Jowasa Drodrolagi, R. Tiaki Chan, R. Alrix Da Costa
Match Preview
England remain unchanged from their 30-12 loss to Tonga to play European counterparts France in Perth in Round 2 of the Rugby League World Cup. France made one change with Leo Darrelatour replaced with Romeo Tropis.
The last time these two played each other, England recorded a convincing 40-8 victory. In the last World Cup, England played Les Chanticleers and the Three Lions again emerging victorious, albeit by a smaller margin.
France are looking for their first win against England in 45 years. The last time they won a game against England was in 1981 in a 5-1 win at Headingley with 1980 Man of Steel winner George Fairbairn scoring the only point for England.
This game won’t be a contest unfortunately and points differential could become a significant factor in the race for the semi-finals, particularly against Samoa. This is the most realistic way that England will progress to play any games in November against either Australia or New Zealand.
England will look to play an expansive style and maximise their points differential. Zach Eckersley, who showed encouraging signs on debut against Tonga, will be among those looking to make a greater attacking impact. After an impressive end to his International debut after making an error early on in the test against Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and that Tongan right edge.
The English will be very disappointed with this tournament and are likely to finish third in this mixed group, but an impressive win against the French can make the fans in Perth and back at home believe that they could get through against the odds.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: England by 70
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