Shaun Wane on who will represent England RL against France

England head coach Shaun Wane has aired on the side of caution when being asked about the team he’ll pick to face France later this month.

England and France face each other in a men’s and women’s double-header at the Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse on Saturday 29th June to mark 90 years of the game in France.

The sides last met last year in Warrington, as both the men and women for England defeated France 64-0.

This year is the first test of the season for England, while there will be tests against Samoa later this year before a return of the Ashes series in 2025.

Speaking in an RFL presser, head coach Shaun Wane gave a hint as to what the men’s side he picks may look like.

He said: “I’ve got an idea of who I want to pick but there could be injuries and I’m not going to go into the French game with people who can’t train. I want a fully fit squad.

“It’s going to be a blend of people who’ve done it in the past for me who I trust and I want people who are going to be good for the Ashes and the World Cup the year after so it’s going to be quite young.

“There’s certain positions and players where I think he can have some good experience and teach a lot of young players something but most of all it will be a lot with Ashes and World Cup in mind.

“If you look at someone like Tommy Makinson who I’m a massive fan of, I know he’s injured at the minute, but we need to look at the next wingers coming through as well.”

Indeed, there are some big names he’s previously relied upon currently out, including Mike McMeeken, Morgan Knowles and Alex Walmsley.

This, alongside the long-term approach Wane speaks of, could mean opportunities for young players such as Junior Nsemba and Matty Nicholson.

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Shaun Wane on England team news

Asked whether he had any team news ahead of the fixture, Wane remained tight-lipped, saying: “There’s not to be honest, I’m not trying to be secretive but I don’t want to start naming players and we lose them and they get injured this weekend and I’m bringing players in and it just makes the phone calls even more awkward.

“The players who played against Tonga for me played really well. I trust they will have a really good chance of playing against the French and also some young players who are going to play hopefully in the Ashes and the World Cup as well.

“It’s going to be a real blend. I know what will happen, I’ll pick the team and everybody will have opinions of who should be and who shouldn’t be in the team but hand on heart, I’m trying to do what is best for England over the next few years.

“The French team will be quite young, I’m trying to keep it as young as possible and it will be quite a different team.”

This ‘different team’ will, it seems, be paid just £250 each, but it could give them vital experience, and help Shaun Wane answer some questions he may have going forward.