Rugby League World Cup: Mikey Lewis absent again as England unchanged for clash vs France despite opening defeat

England head coach Brian McDermott has stuck with the same 19-man squad that were thrashed 30-12 by Tonga in the tournament opener for Saturday's Rugby League World Cup clash against France.

AJ Brimson retains the job at full-back with Jack Welsby again named as an interchange, while Luke Thompson starts at prop in the absence of Morgan Knowles, who suffered an injury in the lead-up to the opening game against Tonga.

Veteran centre Kallum Watkins is listed among the reserves as he chases a cap at his fourth World Cup, while there also remains no place in the squad for Mikey Lewis.

As per World Cup rules, each side is able to name a six-player bench in each game, but only four of the six players named can be brought on.

Last weekend against Tonga, Welsby and Warrington Wolves winger Matty Ashton were the unused substitutes - with Wigan Warriors speedster Zach Eckersley getting the nod instead.

• What did we learn from England in the first round of RLWC 2026?
• McDermott: We cannot chase and change despite RLWC outlook
• Brian McDermott explains Jake Connor exclusion for World Cup
• Latest Sky Sports deals or stream sport contract-free on NOW

For France, Toulouse playmaker Thomas Lacans has been promoted to start at five-eighth with Cesar Rouge moving to the bench.

Romeo Tropis comes in at centre, so Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet pushes out to the wing and Leo Darrelatour makes way.

Skipper Ben Garcia moves from hooker to lock and Amir Bourouh joins the starting side at No 9. A change in the front-row sees Julian Bousquet come in at prop for Lambert Belmas, who goes to the bench.

England vs France - squad lists in full

England: AJ Brimson, Dom Young, Hugo Savala, Herbie Farnworth, Zach Eckersley, George Williams, Harry Smith, Max King, Brad O'Neill, Luke Thompson, Junior Nsemba, Kai Pearce-Paul, Victor Radley.

Interchange: Jez Litten, Ben Currie, Ethan Havard, Sam Walters, Jack Welsby, Matty Ashton.

France: Arthur Mourgue, Guillermo Aispuro-Bichet, Latrell Siegwalt, Roméo Tropis, Benjamin Laguerre, Thomas Lacans, Théo Fages, Romain Navarrete, Amir Bourouh, Julian Bousquet, Arthur Romano, Mathieu Jussaume, Benjamin Garcia (c).

Interchange: César Rougé, Lambert Belmas, Mathieu Cozza, Louis Grossemy.

Teenager Foubister to start as England Women face Australia

For the England Women side, head coach Stuart Barrow has made a shock selection call at half-back, calling in 19-year-old Jenna Foubister to wear the No 7 and partner Isabel Rowe in the halves against Australia on Saturday.

Foubister was named Woman of Steel after a standout year in the Super League and came off the bench in last week's win over Wales. Georgia Roche shifts to the interchange as a result.

Molly Jones has been named to replace Georgia Wilson in the centres while Liv Wood steps in at prop in place of Mary Coleman. Lucie Sams is the new face on the interchange.

For Australia, Dragons recruit Makenzie Weale and former sevens star Sariah Paki are in line for Test debuts after being named on the interchange for the clash with England.

Coach Jess Skinner has made a handful of changes to the side that defeated Samoa last week, with Abbi Church coming in on the wing and Julia Robinson shifting to centre. Jess Sergis has been rested. Tiana Penitani Gray will line up in the back-row with Kezie Apps rested, while Quincy Dodd has also come on to the bench.

England Women: Fran Goldthorpe, Anna Davies, Molly Jones, Connie Boyd, Amelia Brown, Izzy Rowe, Jenna Foubister, Liv Wood, Keara Bennett, Hollie-Mae Dodd, Jasmin Strange, Eva Hunter, Megan Williams.

Interchange: Jodie Cunningham, Vicky Whitfield, Georgia Roche, Lucie Sams.

Australia Women: Tamika Upton, Jaime Chapman, Julia Robinson, Isabelle Kelly (c), Abbi Church, Jocelyn Kelleher, Tarryn Aiken, Millie Elliott, Olivia Higgins, Simaima Taufa, Tiana Penitani Gray, Shaylee Bent, Olivia Kernick,

Interchange: Quincy Dodd, Sarah Togatuki, Makenzie Weale, Sariah Paki.