In addition to the match in Leeds on Sunday 5th November, the French Wheelchair team will also clash with England on home soil on Saturday 25th November in Marseilles at the Palais des Sports, ensuring fans both sides of the channel will see a rematch of last year’s Rugby League World Cup Final.

The French national team started their preparation at La Base du Temple-sur-Lot at the weekend under the watchful eye of coaches Sylvain Crismanovich and Laurent Dupuy as they prepare to avenge their 28-24 defeat at the hands of England in Manchester last year. 

“Since the last World Cup Final last November we have moved into a new era of Wheelchair Rugby League” noted Dupuy. “Undeniably this discipline pleases the public and spectacular for broadcast and this double clash withour rivals is important because both games will be televised and therefore accessible to all.”

“There are great players on both teams” he adds, “and this is the starting point for the 2026 World Cup. England are now the favourites and they will have to take on this pressure at each of our meetings, although of course we would like to start this journey with victory!”

Tom Coyd MBE, the England Wheelchair Head Coach, said: “The priority for everybody in Wheelchair Rugby League is to build on the momentum generated by last year’s World Cup. Our main focus remains the match against France at the first direct Arena on November 5, as we look to recreate the special atmosphere of the World Cup Final in Manchester."

“The prospect of a trip to Marseille three weeks later is an exciting one, and that is one of the reasons we have trained as a Performance Squad through this year, so we have plenty of selection options" he added. “We will confirm our squad to travel to France after the Test in Leeds.”