England take on France this weekend in a historic doubleheader. The games form part of the celebrations of 90 years of Rugby League, when Jean Galia brought a side of Rugby League pioneers to the UK, having been inspired to build a French side by watching England take on Australia at the Stade Buffalo in Paris at the end of 1933.
This weekend, both England’s men’s and women’s sides will meet their French counterparts at the Stade Ernest-Wallon, home of Toulouse Olympique, who were founded by Galia in 1937. It promises to be a brilliant occasion, with the game in France on the up again.
However, the mid-season international games will not be broadcast on television in the UK, meaning viewers will have to track down the game if they want to see an experimental England squad take on their French counterparts.
Thankfully, we have all the details here to make watching the game as easy as possible.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 English Internationals?
How do I watch the England versus France International?
Credit: Imago Images
Whilst the games will not be broadcast on TV, viewers can still watch both games for free on the Super League+.
England’s Women’s side will begin the doubleheader on Saturday, with their game against France’s women’s side kicking off at 14:30 UK time.
This will be followed by the England and France men’s fixture, which kicks off at 17:00 UK time.
A statement from the RFL confirming how to access the game reads:
“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).”
If you are based in France, the men’s game will be shown on the SPORTENFRANCE channel.
Who is in England’s men’s and women’s squads?
Credit: Imago Images
England’s women’s side have named a strong squad for the game against France, having undergone an Origin-style clash as part of the selection process. The squad England Women’s is listed in full below:
Caitlin Beevers, Keara Bennett (both Leeds Rhinos), Jodie Cunningham (St Helens), Anna Davies (Wigan Warriors), Amy Hardcastle (Leeds Rhinos), Zoe Harris (St Helens), Georgie Hetherington (York Valkyrie), Shona Hoyle (Leeds Rhinos), Zoe Hornby (Leeds Rhinos), Katie Mottershead (St Helens), Izzy Northrop (Leeds Rhinos), Eboni Partington (York Valkyrie) Isabel Rowe (Wigan Warriors) Emily Rudge (St Helens), Erin Stott (St Helens), Bella Sykes (Leeds Rhinos), Paige Travis (St Helens), Olivia Wood (York Valkyrie), Vicky Whitfield (St Helens).
Jez Litten has dropped out of the England men’s squad, meaning they take a 19-man travelling party to Toulouse. However, head coach, Shaun Wane, will not be part of the travelling party, as he continues to recover from a medical procedure. The full squad England Men’s squad is listed below:
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 (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).
