England have named their 19-man squad for Saturday’s international against France. The game will be played at the Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse and is part of the ongoing celebrations of 90 years of Rugby League in France.
George Williams will captain an England side, although head coach, Shaun Wane, will not be present at the game. Wane has had to remain in the UK following an ankle operation earlier in the week. Andy Last will take charge of the side in Wane’s absence.
Brad O’Neill, Sam Wood, Elliot Minchella, Oliver Wilson, George Delaney and James McDonnell are all in line to make their England debut, having been included in the 19 man party who have made the trip to France.
However, the big news to emerge from the squad announcement is the exclusion of one player, who has dropped out of the squad.
Hull KR star to miss England game versus France
Credit: Imago Images
England’s squad announcement confirms that Jez Litten has not made the trip to France and, therefore, will not appear in the game on Saturday. A statement from the RFL confirms that Litten has been forced to withdraw from the squad with illness.
Speaking before the game, England assistant coach, Last, is excited by the potential in England’s squad and is looking forward to what those players making their debut in the game can add to the England side. Last said:
“We’ve had a bit of a different build-up to this week’s Test Match with Shaun [Wane] having to leave camp, but the players have really stepped up and it really has been business as usual.
“This is an exciting squad and it’s always great to be able to reward players with their first international caps. All very deserving of wearing the England shirt.
“It’s a big occasion for the French with it being their 90th anniversary and we are under no illusions they will come out strong in Toulouse on Saturday.
“We have a lot of young players who are all very talented and they’ll be looking to impress and stake a claim to face Samoa at the end of the season.”.
🏴 The #EnglandRL 19-player squad is in!
🫡 Watch the team face France live on SuperLeague+ for free on Saturday pic.twitter.com/YztPvY8Gfh
— England Rugby League (@England_RL) June 27, 2024
France squad is the best in a long time according to Frayssinous
Credit: Imago Images
France’s coach, Laurent Frayssinous, believes that his French squad is the best he has worked with for a long time. The French squad features 14 players from the Catalans Dragons, although that will drop to 13, as centre Arthur Romano misses out due to a suspencion picked up in the Dragons’ game against the Huddersfield Giants.
“This group is the best that France has known for quite some time and it comes perfectly to celebrate the 90th anniversary of French 13-a-side rugby.
“I know that the players are keen to give everything and to do France Rugby League proud. We have a huge desire to fly the colours of our country and our sport.”
France will have to overcome the history books if they are to beat England. France have not beaten England in a home international since 1977 and the odds are firmly stacked against them this weekend, with England coming into the game as heavy favourites.
