Rugby League News

England name team to face France as Marc Sneyd and John Bateman start for Shaun Wane’s side

by
Ben Scott
October 22, 2022

Shaun Wane has named his England team to face France at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Salford playmaker Marc Sneyd will start the game in the halves alongside George Williams, with Jack Welsby starting on the bench.

John Bateman returns to the side after missing the opening weekend victory over Samoa through suspension, with Ryan Hall also coming in on the wing in place of Tommy Makinson.

Andy Ackers and Mikolaj Oledzki are also part of the 17 after missing out last Saturday, with both players earning a place on the interchange bench for this afternoon’s game.

England will be hoping to make it two wins from two after thrashing Samoa 60-6 at St James’ Park to get their World Cup campaign off to the best possible start.

France also started the tournament with a win, beating Greece in Doncaster, and they arrive in Bolton with plenty of familiar faces in their team due to the large contingent of Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique players.

The French will be led by former Catalans coach Laurent Frayssinous and current Sydney Roosters head coach Trent Robinson, who is Director of Rugby.

All the expectation will be on England, who have come in from fifth to third favourites to win the World Cup after last week’s win, and victory over the French with secure their passage through to the quarter-finals.

England team to face France:

1. Sam Tomkins
14. Dom Young
3. Kallum Watkins
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Ryan Hall
21. Marc Sneyd
7. George Williams
8. Tom Burgess
9. Michael McIlorum
18. Chris Hill
11. Elliott Whitehead
12. John Bateman
13. Victor Radley

Interchanges:
6. Jack Welsby
23. Mikolaj Oledzki
10 Luke Thompson
19. Andy Ackers

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Here is your #EnglandRL side for this afternoon's @RLWC2021 clash against @FFRXIII… pic.twitter.com/VnY2nXOb1f

— England Rugby League (@England_RL) October 22, 2022