England plan Autumn internationals

As England prepare for next year’s World Cup, it’s important they get the most they can out of 2021.

Thus, the national sides have pencilled in vital tests for this autumn. The four teams – the men, women, wheelchair and Knights sides – will play five games in total as they all begin preparations for next year’s huge tournament.

England men and women will both play their French counterparts in a massive double-header in Perpignan on October 23rd. The women’s game will kick off at 13:00 whilst the men will take on France at 15:30 in a game made all the more intriguing by the recent success of Catalans and Toulouse.

Meanwhile, the wheelchair team will be taking on France in a two-match series on November 10th and 13th at Medway Park in Gillingham. The games will kick-off 19:30 and 18:00 respectively.

Meanwhile, Paul Anderson’s England Knights will take on Jamaica as they play their first game for two years. This game kicks off 19:45 at the Mend-a-Hose Jungle on Friday 15th October. The game will form part of Jordan Turner’s testimonial year.

With next year’s World Cup waiting and the England sides eyeing success, these tests should be vital in their preparation for the tournaments. England men’s Head Coach Shaun Wane is looking forward to the games and believe they’ll be perfect for his side’s preparations: “A Test Match in France is a good option for us this autumn as we refocus on the World Cup in 2022.

“French Rugby League is on the up through Catalans Dragons and Toulouse Olympique, and I know from experience that the French fans will passionately support their team at the Stade Gilbert Brutus. Come October I’ll pick the strongest possible team and make sure we’re well prepared for a tough challenge.

“The France game will come with less than a year until our World Cup opener against Samoa in Newcastle, and that makes it an important part of our planning.”