England v France Preview

It's Mid-Season Internationals Week!

Betfred Super League comes to a pause this weekend, as England v France takes centre stage! Head over to our Rugby League website and England Rugby League social channels to view all things England Rugby League!

England will face France in Toulouse on Saturday, in 2024's eagerly anticipated mid-season international double-header.

Fans can watch all of their favourite Super League stars in action in this year's matches against France - LIVE and FREE on SuperLeague+!

? The build-up to France begins...

??????? #EnglandRL pic.twitter.com/4YxFY1fQRo

— England Rugby League (@England_RL) June 26, 2024

It’s set to be an enticing clash at Stade Ernest-Wallon as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic, and the same number of years since the Men’s international side first played England in Paris in 1934.

England have won their last 22 meetings with France, but it is expected to be a much tougher challenge this time around as they build towards the 2026 World Cup.

The sides last met in April 2023, with England emerging as 64-0 victors at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium. The score-line was a little closer when the fixture was last played in France, however, with England winning 30-10 in Perpignan.  

? Leading from the front!

??????? @George7Williams scored a hat-trick when #EnglandRL defeated France last year....

? You can watch the #EnglandRL double-header live and for free on SuperLeague+ this Saturday! pic.twitter.com/mC5qnFLzHH

— England Rugby League (@England_RL) June 25, 2024

France’s last home win against England came in 1977, but they will no doubt be relishing the opportunity when Shaun Wane’s men pay a visit to the south of France this weekend.

Both sides have named strong squads for Saturday’s meeting, with Wane including six potential debutants.

The new faces include - Castleford Tigers centre Sam Wood, Wigan Warriors hooker Brad O’Neill, Hull KR loose forward Elliot Minchella, St Helens prop George Delaney, Huddersfield Giants forward Oliver Wilson and Leeds Rhinos forward James McDonnell – as Wane looks at planning and preparing a strong England team for the next World Cup.

The full England squad details can be found here.

Laurent Frayssinous has also revealed his French side to take on England during the week, with 14 of the 22 players being from Betfred Super League side Catalans Dragons, and a good mix of both experience and youth.

Full details of the France team can be found here.

Milestones could also be broken if Ben Garcia features in Saturday’s international match – Garcia is set to make his 250th career appearance, and what better way to do this than representing your home country…

During the build-up to Saturday, England Head Coach Shaun Wane has emphasised on his players enjoying themselves, while having pride and passion in the England badge.

The England Head Coach also recognises the quality within the France side this year and is hoping for a great contest and his side coming away with another confident win against the France outfit.

Read his thoughts on the France Test here.

The England squad have been training hard in camp at Wigan's Robin Park Arena, and will fly out to Toulouse on Friday.

England Men Squad:

Ben Currie (Warrington Wolves), George Delaney (St Helens), Tyler Dupree (Wigan Warriors), Ash Handley (Leeds Rhinos), James Harrison (Warrington Wolves), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Matty Lees (St Helens), Mikey Lewis, Jez Litten (both Hull KR), James McDonnell (Leeds Rhinos), Elliot Minchella (Hull KR), Harry Newman (Leeds Rhinos), Matty Nicholson (Warrington Wolves), Brad O’Neill, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson (all Wigan Warriors), Jack Welsby (St Helens), George Williams (Warrington Wolves), Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield Giants), Sam Wood (Castleford Tigers).

France squad:

Lambert Belmas (Toulouse Olympique), Julian Bousquet (Catalans Dragons), Tiaki Chan (Hull FC), Alrix da Costa, Jordan Dezaria, Théo Fages, Benjamin Garcia, Mickael Goudemand (all Catalans Dragons), Enzo Griffier (Sydney Roosters), Franck Maria (Catalans Dragons), Hakim Miloudi (London Broncos), Arthur Mourgue, Romain Navarrete, Matthieu Laguerre, Arthur Romano, César Rouge (all Catalans Dragons), Hugo Salabio (Huddersfield Giants), Justin Sangaré (Leeds Rhinos), Paul Seguier (Catalans Dragons), Maxime Stefani (Toulouse Olympique), Ugo Tison (London Broncos), Fouad Yaha (Catalans Dragons).

England’s Men and Women will play France in Toulouse on Saturday 29 June, as the French Rugby League (FFR XIII) celebrates 90 years of the game in the republic.

England Women take on France at 3.30pm (local time, 2:30pm UK), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm (5pm, UK) – and both matches will be streamed LIVE and FREE from Stade Ernest-Wallon on SuperLeague+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.

SuperLeague+ is available online at superleague.co.uk/superleagueplus, via the SuperLeague+ app on iOS and Android devices, and on connected TV platforms (Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV).