France and England’s 19-player squad’s for Saturday’s men’s game celebrating the 90th Anniversary of Rugby League in France have been released.
The game kicks off at 6.00pm at Stade Ernest-Wallon in Toulouse, preceded by the women’s clash which kicks off at 3.30pm local time.
France Head Coach Laurent Frayssinous is excited by the challenge!
“The team to face England is certainly the best group that we have assembled for quite some time and that is perfect to celebrate the 90th Anniversary of Rugby League in France” he said.
“I know that the players will be giving everything to make the game an attractive fixture and to make all the treizistes proud of their performance and proud of our 90 year old legacy as we challenge as we take on England who are one of the best teams in the world.
“We are approaching the match with the humility that characterises us but also with an enormous desire to wear our colour proudly in honour of our country and our sport.”
England will be led by Assistant Coach Andy Last with Head Coach Shaun Wane unable to travel after undergoing an ankle operation this week whilst Warrington Wolves halfback George Williams is named as captain.
Hooker Brad O’Neill will round off an incredible year, which has seen him lift all four trophies available to Wigan Warriors, with an international debut. Castleford Tigers centre Sam Wood is also in line to earn his first England cap and Elliot Minchella’s fine form for Hull KR will be rewarded with an international debut whilst Huddersfield Giants forward Oliver Wilson will also feature for England for the first time.
Fellow new faces, George Delaney of St Helens and Leeds Rhinos forward James McDonnell, are also named in the 19-player squad.
Andy Last commented: “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.”
France
Julian Bousquet, Alrix Da Costa, Théo Fages, Benjamin Garcia, Mathieu Laguerre, Franck Maria, Arthur Mourgue, Romain Navarette, César Rouge, Paul Seguier, Fouad Yaha (Dragons Catalans), Mickael Goudemand, Justin Sangare (Leeds Rhinos), Enzo Griffier (Roosters), Hakim Miloudi, Ugo Tison (London Broncos), Tiaki Chan (Wigan Warriors), Pierre-Jean Lima, Maxime Stephani (Toulouse Olympique)
England
Ben Currie, James Harrison, Matty Nicholson, George Williams (all Warrington Wolves), George Delaney, Matty Lees, Jack Welsby (all St Helens), Tyler Dupree, Brad O’Neill, Harry Smith, Luke Thompson (all Wigan Warriors), Ash Handley, James McDonnell, Harry Newman (all Leeds Rhinos), Tom Johnstone (Catalans Dragons), Mikey Lewis, Elliot Minchella (both Hull KR), Oliver Wilson (Huddersfield Giants), Sam Wood (Castleford Tigers).