England vs France Rugby League World Cup 2026 is not a fixture either side expected to enter under pressure. Yet after opening-round defeats, Saturday’s Pool B/C meeting at Perth Rectangular Stadium carries an unfamiliar edge. England must win heavily to keep semi-final hopes alive; France, beaten 78-4 by Samoa, need a response of their own.
What Went Wrong in Round One
England’s 30-12 loss to Tonga has been described as arguably the biggest upset of the opening round and leaves the three-time runners-up in real danger of missing the semi-finals. Coach Brian McDermott has responded by naming an unchanged side, a show of faith that also raises questions about the options he is willing to use.
France’s opener against Samoa was a different kind of setback. A 78-4 defeat left Laurent Frayssinous with little choice but to freshen his lineup, and he has done so with several changes to the starting thirteen.
Team News: England Hold Firm, France Shuffle
McDermott’s decision to keep the same seventeen means AJ Brimson continues at fullback and Jack Welsby remains on the interchange bench. Mikey Lewis is again left out of the matchday squad, a selection that will draw scrutiny given England’s need for creativity and points.
France’s adjustments are more extensive. Thomas Lacans starts at five-eighth, Romeo Tropis comes in at centre, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet moves to the wing, and captain Ben Garcia starts at lock. Frayssinous will hope the new combinations give France a foothold after their heavy opening defeat.
Kick-Off Time and Venue
The match takes place on Saturday, October 24, at Perth Rectangular Stadium. Kick-off is set for 2.35pm AEDT local time, which translates to 2.35am ET in the United States, 7.35am BST in the United Kingdom, and 5.35pm AEDT in Sydney.
How to Watch: Broadcast Options by Country
Viewers in Australia can watch free-to-air on the Seven Network and stream via 7plus, with an Australian postcode account required for the 7plus service. In the United States, Premier Sports offers all 18 men’s World Cup games through a tournament pass priced at $25.
UK viewers can watch on Premier Sports 1, available as a monthly subscription at £18.99 or annually at £150, and the channel can be added to Sky, Virgin Media, or Prime Video. Canadian audiences also have Premier Sports, at CA$29.99 monthly, which additionally carries Top14, the Nations Championship, Bledisloe Cup, Six Nations, and Rugby Championship.
In New Zealand, Sky Sport 2 shows the match via satellite, while Sky Sport Now offers streaming at NZ$29.99 per day or NZ$59.99 per month.
Free Stream and VPN Note
The Australian 7plus stream is the only free option listed. For viewers outside Australia who wish to access home streams, a VPN is recommended, though users should check that such use complies with each broadcaster’s terms and conditions.
Head-to-Head: England's Long Dominance
England and France have met 53 times in competitive fixtures. England have won 44, France seven, with two ties. The most recent meeting, in June 2024, ended in a 40-8 England victory. France’s task is to reverse a long-running pattern against a side that has historically controlled this fixture.
For England, the equation is simple but demanding: win, and win well. For France, a competitive performance would be a step forward after the Samoa defeat. The scoreline in Perth will tell us whether McDermott’s unchanged selection was conviction or caution.
[…] England Need a Statement, France Need a Reset: Inside the World Cup Clash in Perth […]