England coach Brian McDermott is backing his players to bounce back, naming an unchanged 19-man squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup clash with France in Perth — even after a painful 30-12 defeat by Tonga left England’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread.
England fans (Credits: BBC Sport)
McDermott Keeps Faith After Historic Defeat
The loss to Tonga was England’s first ever at the hands of the Pacific Islanders, and it has put their path to the last four in serious danger. Yet McDermott has resisted the urge to make changes, keeping the same 19 for the Group B-C showdown with France on Saturday (kick-off 07:35 BST).
AJ Brimson retains his spot at full-back, with Jack Welsby once again named among the interchanges. The starting XIII reads: Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul and Victor Radley. Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Welsby and Matty Ashton provide the bench cover.
Injury Doubts Remain
Luke Thompson continues at prop, with Morgan Knowles still sidelined after picking up an injury before the Tonga game. There is also no return for Mikey Lewis, the much-debated centre selection ahead of 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor, who remains out of the team entirely.
Harry Smith will again partner captain George Williams in the halves, despite both being overpowered by Tonga last weekend — a clear sign McDermott believes the issue was collective execution rather than personnel.
The Maths From Here
The picture is stark. England must win their next two games — against France this Saturday and Papua New Guinea on October 30 — to keep realistic semi-final hopes alive, and given the World Cup format, they will likely need to win both by big scores to fix their points difference.
Even that may not be enough: England could be left waiting two more days to learn their fate, with Tonga facing 2022 finalists Samoa in the last group game. A win on Saturday is non-negotiable — anything less and the campaign is effectively over.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
