England Men and Women international double header confirmed

It has been confirmed by the RFL that England Men’s and Women’s side will play a double-header against France in what is set to be a bumper weekend of rugby league.

The RFL confirmed the fixture announcement via a press release and on their website with the release of a statement.

It read: “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), followed by the Men’s international at 6pm – and both matches will be streamed live from Stade Ernest-Wallon on Super League+, Rugby League’s global, direct-to-consumer streaming service.

“Both the Men’s and Women’s teams defeated their French counterparts 64-0 in last year’s mid-season internationals at Warrington, though the scorelines were a little closer when the two sides last visited France in 2021 – the Men winning 30-10 in Perpignan and the Women 40-4.

“With the French continuing to improve as they build towards the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, England’s teams can expect a tougher challenge this time around – something which will suit head coaches Shaun Wane and Stuart Barrow. Both coaches will announce their squads for the Toulouse trip during the week of the games.”

The game marks a repeat of last year’s mid-season international double-header in which both England sides won 64-0 over their French rivals, those games being played at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Talk of the game had been rumoured back in January, with further reports about the fixture also covered by Serious About Rugby League in February.

RFL Chairman “delighted” to confirm England fixtures

RFL Chair, Simon Johnson, says: “Rugby League in France has a rich and proud history, and the Men’s international side first played England in Paris in 1934. I am delighted that our England sides have been invited be part of the 90th anniversary celebrations. Our thanks go to the FFR XIII for making this possible and we wish them well for the next 90 years.”

Rhodri Jones, RL Commercial Managing Director added: “I’m sure that there will be plenty of England supporters inside the Stade Ernest-Wallon to cheer on our Men and Women, and I’m thrilled that those supporters who can’t be there will be able to follow the action on Super League+. It’s a blank weekend in the 2024 fixture schedule, so Super League+ is the place to be for live Rugby League on Saturday 29 June.”

The weekend will also play host to a CHampionship fixture with Toulouse Olympique facing off against Feathetsont Rovers on the same day in the evening.

The RFL also confirmed that France Under 19s will travel in the opposite direction just three days later to take on England Academy at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday 2 July (KO 7.30pm).