England unchanged to face France after Tonga defeat

England coach Brian McDermott has named an unchanged 19-man squad for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup match against France.

This is despite a 30-12 defeat by Tonga in their opening game which has put England's chances of progression to the semi-finals in danger.

AJ Brimson retains his place at full-back in the XIII with Jack Welsby among the interchanges.

McDermott has kept faith in his players as they prepare for Saturday's Group B-C match in Perth (kick-off 07.35 BST).

England men: AJ 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, Victor Radley.

Interchange: Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.

Reserves: Kallum Watkins, Mikey Lewis, Ben Talty.

Luke Thompson will continue at prop with Morgan Knowles still not fit to play after picking up an injury before the Tonga game.

And Mikey Lewis, who was a much-debated pick for the squad as one of the half-backs ahead of 2025 Super League Man Of Steel Jake Connor, remains out of the team.

Harry Smith will continue alongside England captain George Williams in the half-back roles, despite both being overpowered by Tonga last weekend.

That defeat, England's first ever against Tonga, has left McDermott's side with a tough task to reach the semi-finals.

England must win their next two games, against France next Saturday and Papua New Guinea on 30 October, to stand a realistic chance of progression - and because of the World Cup's format, probably need to win them both by a big score.

Even then, there is the strong possibility that England will not know their fate for certain until two days later, when Tonga face 2022 finalists Samoa in their last group game.

In contrast to McDermott, England women's coach Stuart Barrow has made a big selection change before their blockbuster meeting with co-hosts Australia on Saturday.

Jenna Foubister will start at half-back, replacing Georgia Roche, after a superb year in the Super League where she was named Woman of Steel.

The 19-year-old, who scored on her debut in a 62-0 win against Wales in August 2025, will partner Izzy Rowe in the halves.

Rowe scored two tries and kicked nine conversions for 26 points as England opened their World Cup campaign with a 70-6 win against Wales last Saturday.

She equalled the record for the most points by an individual England player in a Women's World Cup match.

There are two other changes to the XIII, as Molly Jones replaces Georgia Wilson in the centres while Liv Wood plays at prop ahead of Mary Coleman.

Lucie Sams is named among the interchanges as England take on reigning champions Australia in Perth with kick-off at 10.05 BST - immediately after the men's match.

It will be the first time England have played Australia since they suffered their record defeat - 90-4 - in Las Vegas in March 2025.

England women: Fran Goldthorpe, Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Izzy Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Liv Wood, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Georgia Roche, Lucie Sams.

Reserves: Mary Coleman, Georgia Wilson, Lucy Murray.

Wales face Samoa in their second ever World Cup match on Friday at 07:45 BST, and coach Thomas Brindle has made several changes.

Amberley Ruck replaces Ffion Lewis, with Zoe Heeley moving from centre to the wing.

Jade Mullen comes into the centres, while wing Sian Williams also gets a start.

Wales women: Leanne Burnell, Zoe Heeley, Jade Mullen, Hannah Bluck, Sian Williams, Amberley Ruck, Tayla Preston, Agnes Wood, Jasmine Gibbons, Emily Hughes, Georgia Cussons, Paige Travis, Bethan Dainton.

Interchange: Carys Marsh, Kathryn Salter, Erin Williams, Gracie Hobbs.

Reserves: Ffion Lewis, Lucia Davies, Frances Layton, Katie Carr.

Australia coach Kevin Walters has dropped Reece Walsh to the bench for their second group game against Fiji on Sunday (09.05 GMT).

James Tedesco replaces Walsh, and will captain the co-hosts and men's World Cup favourites.

Walsh, who had not played since 15 August amid injury troubles, was rusty as Australia were pushed by New Zealand in a thrilling World Cup opening match last Thursday.

He scored a try but kicked just two of five conversions as the Aussies squeezed to a 24-22 win at Sydney Football Stadium.

Tedesco won the Clive Churchill medal for best player in the NRL Grand Final as Sydney Roosters beat Newcastle Knights 19-18 on 4 October.

And he earns his place in the XIII here as one of five changes made by Walters.

Bradman Best, Sam Walker and Blayke Brailey all come in for their Test debuts.

Tedesco takes the captain's armband from Isaah Yeo, who is rested. Yeo has delayed surgery on a torn pectoral muscle to play at the World Cup.