Rugby League World Cup: England head coach Shaun Wane shuffles pack for France clash | Rugby League News

Head coach Shaun Wane has made five changes to the 19-man squad named ahead of England’s tournament-opening win over Samoa; the World Cup hosts face France at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 5pm)

John Bateman is named in England’s 19-man squad to face France after completing a three-match ban

Shaun Wane has rotated his squad as expected for England’s Rugby League World Cup clash with France in Bolton on Saturday.

The head coach has brought in all five players who were not included in the 19-man squad for the tournament-opening 60-6 win over Samoa, including John Bateman after he completed his three-match ban.

Wigan Warriors back row Bateman had been serving a suspension which was carried over from the 2022 Betfred Super League season, but now looks set to feature against France in this weekend’s Group A match.

Ryan Hall, Andy Ackers, Joe Batchelor and Mikolaj Oledzki are all brought into the 19 as well, with Wane having previously confirmed everyone who did not feature in the win over Samoa will be involved in the game at the University of Bolton Stadium.

Victory for England over France, who began their World Cup campaign with a 34-12 win over debutants Greece in Doncaster on Monday night, would all but assure the hosts of a place in the quarter-finals.

More to follow…

England 19-man squad to face France

Sam Tomkins, Kallum Watkins, Herbie Farnworth, Ryan Hall, Jack Welsby, George Williams, Tom Burgess, Michael McIlorum, Luke Thompson, Elliott Whitehead, John Bateman, Victor Radley, Dom Young, Chris Hill, Andy Ackers, Marc Sneyd, Joe Batchelor, Mikolaj Oledzki, Kai Pearce-Paul.