Arabic version: ماكديرموت يُبقي تشكيلة إنجلترا دون تغيير لمواجهة فرنسا
According to BBC News, England coach Brian McDermott has named an unchanged 19-man squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup Group B-C match against France in Perth, which kicks off at 07.35 BST.
McDermott has retained the group despite England’s 30-12 opening-game defeat by Tonga, their first ever loss to the Pacific nation. The result has left England’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals in danger, with wins over France and Papua New Guinea on 30 October needed to give them a realistic chance of progressing.
AJ Brimson keeps his place at full-back after scoring one of England’s two tries against Tonga, while Jack Welsby is again among the interchanges. Harry Smith will continue in the half-backs alongside captain George Williams, and Luke Thompson remains at prop because Morgan Knowles is still unavailable following an injury picked up before the Tonga match.
Mikey Lewis, whose inclusion in the original squad ahead of 2025 Super League Man of Steel Jake Connor was debated, remains out of the team. England may need big wins in their remaining group matches and could still have to wait until Tonga play 2022 finalists Samoa two days later to know their fate.
