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England name unchanged squad for France match after Tonga defeat

England head coach Brian McDermott has selected an unchanged squad to face France following a defeat by Tonga in their Rugby League World Cup opener.

FTMQ News, written by our newsroom0 views

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Picture: BBC News

England head coach Brian McDermott has selected an unchanged 19-man squad to face France in Perth on Saturday, the BBC reported. The decision follows a 30-12 defeat by Tonga in England's opening Rugby League World Cup fixture. [1][2][4]

The BBC reported that AJ Brimson keeps his place at full-back in the starting thirteen, while Jack Welsby remains among the interchanges. Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, Dom Young, and George Williams are also included in the squad for the Group B-C fixture. [1]

As FTMQ News reported earlier, McDermott previously chose Harry Smith and captain George Williams as his half-backs for the tournament opener against Tonga. The opening loss put England's chances of progressing to the semi-finals in danger, according to the BBC. [1][12]

The match between England and France is scheduled to take place in Perth this Saturday, with kick-off set for 07.35 BST, the BBC reported. [1]

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In short

  • Brian McDermott has named an unchanged 19-man England squad to face France.
  • England lost 30-12 to Tonga in their opening Rugby League World Cup game.
  • AJ Brimson retains his starting place at full-back for the match in Perth.
  • The Group B-C fixture against France is scheduled for Saturday at 07.35 BST.

Sources

Every paragraph above points to the numbered items it rests on. Read the originals here.

  1. [1]England unchanged to face France after Tonga defeatBBC News, 1h ago (the report this story comes from)
  2. [2]England rugby league: Brian McDermott names unchanged team for France despite Tonga defeatBBC, 1h ago
  3. [3]England boss shares key reason for Tonga loss with side on brink of World Cup exitAll Out Rugby League, 1d ago
  4. [4]Rugby league-Pacific rising as Tonga beat England, Samoa crush France at World CupDevdiscourse, 1d ago
  5. [5]Tonga stun England as Samoa thrash France at Rugby League World CupARN News Centre, 1d ago
  6. [6]England's only realistic route to World Cup semi-finals after Tonga defeatYorkshire Post, 18h ago

Background

  1. [7]2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage on Wikipedia
  2. [8]France at the FIFA World Cup on Wikipedia
  3. [9]2026 Super Rugby Pacific season on Wikipedia
  4. [10]England on Grokipedia
  5. [11]France on Grokipedia
  6. [12]Mikey Lewis dropped from England squad for Rugby League World Cup opener FTMQ News, 7d ago
  7. [13]England dominate Wales in Women Rugby League World Cup opener FTMQ News, 2d ago

Our newsroom writes these reports with the help of software, from the 13 sources listed and nothing else, and checks them against those sources. Facts can still be wrong or move on; the originals are the record. Spotted a mistake? Write to daniel@monsterkong.com.

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Earlier reports of ours on the same people and subjects.

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