England Unchanged to Face France After Tonga Defeat as McDermott Sticks with Same Squad

England head coach Brian McDermott has named an unchanged 19-man squad for Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup clash with France. The decision comes just days after a heavy 30-12 opening-round loss to Tonga that left the team’s semi-final hopes hanging by a thread. Despite calls for changes and clear areas for improvement, McDermott has opted for continuity as his side prepares to face the French in Perth.

The match takes place at HBF Park on 24 October, offering England a chance to rebuild momentum in the combined Pool B and C. Only the top two sides from the six-team group will advance to the semi-finals. England now need results elsewhere to go their way if they are to avoid an early exit for the first time in World Cup history.

A Historic Defeat That Changed the Outlook

Tonga produced a landmark performance in Perth to record their first-ever Test victory over England. Haumole Olakau’atu scored two tries, while half-back Isaiya Katoa controlled the game with the boot, contributing 14 points. England trailed 10-0 at half-time and, despite tries from AJ Brimson and Dom Young after the break, could not recover. Errors and a lack of patience in attack proved costly against a well-organised and physical Tongan side.

The result has placed England in a precarious position. They must defeat both France and Papua New Guinea in their remaining group matches. Even then, they require Tonga to beat Samoa later in the group stage and need a favourable points difference against Samoa, who opened with a 78-4 thrashing of France. The complicated cross-group format leaves little margin for error.

McDermott acknowledged the challenge after the Tonga game. He insisted his players would not simply chase points against France or Papua New Guinea, describing such an approach as disrespectful. Instead, he stressed the need to keep hold of the ball, improve concentration and build on the positives he saw in certain periods of the contest.

Continuity in Selection

The unchanged 19-man group retains the same starting combination that faced Tonga. AJ Brimson remains at full-back ahead of Jack Welsby. Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth and Zach Eckersley form the backline. Captain George Williams partners Harry Smith in the halves. The forward pack is unchanged, with Max King, Brad O’Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul and Victor Radley among those selected. Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard and Sam Walters provide interchange options, with Welsby and Matthew Ashton also included.

Morgan Knowles remains sidelined through injury. Hull KR half-back Mikey Lewis, who was left out of the Tonga squad entirely, again misses the 19. McDermott has clearly decided that familiarity and cohesion outweigh the potential benefits of fresh personnel at this stage.

Looking Ahead to France

France arrive in Perth on the back of a heavy defeat to Samoa. They will be desperate to restore pride and produce a more competitive display. England, ranked third in the world before the tournament, will be expected to dominate possession and territory. However, McDermott has warned against complacency. His side must correct the handling errors and decision-making lapses that undid them against Tonga.

A strong performance and a convincing victory would keep mathematical qualification alive. Yet the coach has repeatedly stated that the focus remains on winning the next game rather than calculating points difference scenarios. England will then face Papua New Guinea in Wollongong on 30 October before waiting on the outcome of Tonga versus Samoa.

Broader Context for English Rugby League

The loss to Tonga has reignited discussion about the gap between Super League and the NRL-based Pacific nations. Several of Tonga’s key performers play in Australia’s elite competition, and their physicality and skill under pressure proved decisive. England’s relative lack of preparation matches and the challenges of assembling a competitive squad from a smaller player pool have again come under scrutiny.

McDermott, who took charge earlier in 2026, has spoken of progress in certain areas despite the result. He believes the team is heading in the right direction but accepts that immediate improvements in ball security and attacking efficiency are essential. Whether the decision to keep the same 19 players will deliver those improvements remains to be seen on Saturday evening in Perth.

England’s World Cup campaign is far from over, but the path forward is narrow. An unchanged selection signals belief in the group that started the tournament. Now that group must deliver a response against France if any realistic hope of reaching the semi-finals is to survive.

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